Irl (G.I.) Hamm came with his wife, Mary, to Isabel, Barber County, Kansas,
  from Pratt County in 1926 to live with Harry McHenry, Mary's father. Mr McHenry
  passed away in 1928.
     Irl worked for Larabee's Hardware owned by Judd Larabee who also carried
  other items such as jewelry, furniture, kitchen utensils and operated a
  morturary. They also sold Dodge cars, and Pink Poland was his mechanic.
     Around 1930 Irl went to work for Farmer's Hardwar, later known as Isabel
  Coop Equity Exchange. Roy McEntire was manager in 1933. Irl became manager
  and served some 30 years. Besides hardware they sold farm machinery. They
  also handled household appliances and serviced the products that they sold.
  Regular store hours were 7 AM - 6 PM, six days a week.
     A number of the farmers of the area served on the board of directors, 
  including Claude Wheatley, William Inslee, Ben House, Guy Hiskett, Ed Miller,
  Claus Bergner, Leo House, Vern Eckles, John Brant and Martin Knop.
     Some of the employees through the years were: Roy McEntire, Manager; Monte
  Hoyt; Irl Hamm, Manager; Jake Lamkin; Vern Eckles; Earl Donaldson; Kenneth
  Armstrong; Rolland Dixon; Bill Wehling, Manager; Bill Keller; and Mr. Anderson,
  Manager.
     In 1940, Irl and Mary built a new home on South Main in Isabel. On May 7,
  1947, their son, John McHenry was born, but ther joy was turned to sadness as
  he lived only a few hours.
     In November 1958, Mary passed away after a long illness. Irl lived alone
  until 1960 when he married Nellie Hackler of Wichita, a native of Reno County.
     Irl was a preacher and song leader and beside preaching on occasion for the
  Church of Christ of Isabel, teaching Bible classes, and conducting Bible drills
  for children, he preached for a number of congregations within driving distance
  on a monthly basis. Some of the congregations were Ensign, Mullinville, Stafford,
  and Sylvia. He also performed the marriage ceremony for many couples and
  preached the funeral service for a great many of the residents of the area.
     In 1964, he retired from the Hardware and accepted a full time work as 
  minister for teh Church of Christ in Iola, Kansas. During this time Stanley
  and Jessie Swinson occupied their home in Isabel.
     After five years Irl and Nellie returned to Isabel. In the meantime the
  Hardware store had gone the way of many small town businesses and had to close
  its doors.
     Entertaining children from Maude Carpenter Children's Home during their
  holidays and vacations was an interesting project for the Irl Hamms for
  several years. 
     In 1977 Nellie's mother, Lena Hackler, came to make her home with them. She
  passed away Sunday may 13, 1979, while getting ready to attend church service.
                
     Source:Chosen Land - Barber County, Kansas,  pg. 215