Hamfast Gamgee

Hamfast Gamgee was friends with Bilbo Baggins and tends to his gardens. His son, Sam Gamgee, was taught how to write and to read by Bilbo himself.

History
Hamfast "The Gaffer" Gamgee was the husband of Bell Goodchild. They had six children: Hamson, Halfred, Daisy, May, Sam, and Marigold

The Fellowship of the Ring
The Gaffer appears in the Green Dragon, defending both Bilbo and Frodo after one of the hobbits calls the Bagginses crazy.