‘I didn’t do one thing to live long’

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Fact Box

The Hammond file

Name: Earl Hammond

Age: 100

Hometown: Born in Loretto, lived in Bellwood for more than 50 years

Education: Completed eight years in Cresson schools

Position: Held numerous jobs but retired in 1971 after 22 years with J.C. Orr Co., Altoona

Family: Daughter, Lillian Korber; three grandchildren, a stepdaughter, eight stepgrandchildren

Earl Hammond is celebrating his 100th birthday today.

The Bellmeade Manor resident has no idea how he has lived for a century.

"I smoked cigarettes for at least 40 years, smoked heavily while in the service. I drank some beer, but I wasn't a drunk. I enjoyed a cold beer after a hot day at work. I ran rock drills on construction jobs, and that blew dust all over me," Hammond said. "I didn't do one thing to make me live long. The way I lived, I should have died a long time ago."

Hammond was born near Loretto and lived in Cambria County until he was 16. Then his family moved to a farm near Ganister outside of Williamsburg.

He completed eight years of classes in the Cresson School District then went to work on a farm.

Hammond worked at many jobs during his lifetime. He remembers his days working at Blair Forge Stone Co. quite well. The quarry was near the Blair-Huntingdon county line.

"I had to get a mule to take me down to the quarry. All I had to do was jump on his back and ride to the quarry," Hammond said. "We got 35 cents an hour."

The quarry closed, and Hammond moved to Cleveland where he worked in construction.

While there, the Great Depression hit.

"In 1929, everything went crash. Stores had signs that said 'No help wanted, don't apply.' You couldn't even ask for a job. Things were rough," Hammond said. "I left Cleveland and came back to work on a farm for a dollar a day."

In 1943, Hammond, who was 34 at the time, got drafted into the Army to serve in World War II. He was stationed in Pearl Harbor where he was a truck driver hauling ammunition for anti-aircraft guns, or "the big guns," as he called them.

After the war, Hammond worked at various jobs but settled at J.C. Orr Co. in Altoona where he worked for 22 years as a labor foreman, truck driver and "did a little bit of everything." He retired in 1971 at 62.

Hammond was twice married, first to Esther Price in 1930, with whom he had a daughter, Lillian. Esther died in 1938, and he married Ruth Lawson in 1952.

"Marrying Ruth was the best thing I ever did," Hammond said.

Hammond lived in Bellwood for more than 50 years but left Bellwood about two years ago, first moving to Golden LivingCenter-Hillview and then to Bellmeade Manor.

Hammond has seen numerous technological developments during his lifetime, but to him, the automobile was the most important.

"I never rode in a car until I was 8 years old. We just hitched up the horse and buggy. I remember when my uncle bought a car. All the roads that are blacktopped today were mud back then," Hammond said.

Hammond has been able to remain fairly healthy over the years.

"I had my first surgery when I was 85, had an aneurysm in my aorta. I also had eye surgery for cataracts, but I can still read the newspaper," Hammond said.

He also said he had a gall bladder problem.

"I was too old for the new-fangled stuff where they punch three holes in you and too old to be cut open," Hammond said.

Hammond experienced an illness - congestive heart failure - about a year ago and was "ready to give up" until encouraged by his physician, Dr. Elias Rifkah.

"I promised him, 'If you pull through, we'll celebrate your 100th birthday together,'" Rifkah said.

Those at Bellmeade Manor are glad Hammond recovered.

"He is the best male you will ever find. He is a good man. He is very nice," resident Dorothy L. Parks said.

"He is very private and easygoing for the most part," said Nancy Noye, assistant administrator. "He is a model resident. He is still able to do a lot of things for himself."

Hammond remains very sharp mentally.

"We are amazed at his brain. It should be pretty far gone," his daughter, Lillian, said.

Family members dropped by Bellmeade Manor Sunday to help Hammond celebrate his 100th birthday.

The centenarian said his birthday is no big deal.

"It is just another day. I don't want a darn thing," Hammond said.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 946-7467.