Background
Ham was born on January 22, 1831, in New Hampshire.
Ham was born on January 22, 1831, in New Hampshire.
Reading law.
He read law and entered private practice in Chicago, Illinois from 1858 to 1866. He served as appraiser of the Portuguese of Chicago from 1871 to 1885. He was an editorial writer for the Chicago Tribune from 1885 to 1890.
He served as assistant treasurer of Cook County, Illinois from 1885 to 1890.
He was confirmed by the Senate on July 16, 1890, and received his commission the same day. He served as President of the Board from 1897 to 1902.
He served on the board until his resignation on August 1, 1902. He was succeeded on the board by Judge Byron Sylvester Waite.
Ham died on October 16, 1902, in Montclair, New Jersey.
On July 2, 1890, President Harrison nominated Ham to serve as a Member of the newly created Board of General Appraisers.