Background
Hamley was born in Lake Providence, the first son of Edward J. Hamley, a native of Saint Louis, Missouri. John Hamley"s mother, Annie Malam Hamley (1861-1943), was born in Bavaria. In the 1860s, her family migrated to the United States.
Hamley was born in Lake Providence, the first son of Edward J. Hamley, a native of Saint Louis, Missouri. John Hamley"s mother, Annie Malam Hamley (1861-1943), was born in Bavaria. In the 1860s, her family migrated to the United States.
The Hamleys moved to East Carroll Parish in 1878. Edward Hamley (1860-1929) was mayor of Lake Providence for twelve years. Hamley"s younger brothers were Edward Doctorate. Hamley (1888-1902), William Hugh Hamley (1889-1940), and Joseph Celestin Hamley (1891-1965).
After his three terms in the state House of Representatives, Hamley served from 1924 to 1931 as the House clerk, a position chosen by the members.
In 1933, he was elected East Carroll Parish tax assessor. There were eight Hamley children: Edward Ransdell Hamley (1915-1929), Mary Hamley Marron (1918-2005), Katherine(Kate) Hamley Bernacchi(1919-1951, Anne Hamley deMahy (since 1920) John Martin Hamley, Junior.
(1922-1945), Stuart Douglas Hamley (1924-1984), Madeline Hamley Howington (1926-1984), Elizabeth Hamley Lewis (1928-1958),
Hamley was a brother-in-law of Judge Frank Voelker, Senior, who in 1937 succeeded Francis Ransdell on the Louisiana 6th Judicial District Court, of which the long-term district attorney was Jefferson B. Snyder. Voelker was married to the former Isabel Ransdell, a sister of Katie Ransdell.
Hamley died in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
The Hamleys are interred at Lake Providence Cemetery. There is confusion about his middle name "Martian", which appears on his tombstone. A cenotaph dedicated to the youngest of the Hamley sons is posted as John Martin Hamley, Junior., who died at the age of twenty-three while serving as an ensign in the United States Navy during World World War World War II Hamley, Junior., is buried at the Honolulu National Cemetery.
The Louisiana House membership listing spells Hamley"s middle name as "Martin.".
He was also a member of the Louisiana Flood Control Committee, a group interested in the prevention of a future Great Mississippi Flood of 1927.