J. G. HANNA. There is no more prominent figure among the prosperous citizens of Independence township than the gentleman of whom we write. He is a son of Richard Hanna, who was born in 1790, in County Down, Ireland, but, when young, moved with his parents to County Cavan. He learned the weaver's trade, and, like many others of his young countrymen, struggled heroically on until he saved enough to pay his passage to America, the Mecca of all oppressed and persecuted nations. In 1818 he embarked from Dublin, but when only a few weeks from shore, the ship sprang a leak. Hoping to reach port before the vessel sank, the crew steered for Cork, which was reached in time, and the passengers (for some reason not being allowed to land) were transferred to another ship bound for Halifax. After a voyage of twenty-one weeks the good ship anchored at Halifax, where young Hanna followed his trade for a short period; then, as he had a distant relative in Washington county, Penn., he decided to attempt the journey thither. He had previously been employed at gathering stones, for not being able to secure steady work at his own trade, he accepted the only employment offered, rather than wait idly for more suitable work, willing to earn his bread in any honorable manner. Would that some of our modern young men would profit by the lesson of this life, so plainly given in the simple facts that no moral is needed to point the application. Having very little money with which to pay the expenses of a trip to Pennsylvania, the sturdy young fellow invested his small savings in goods, which he attempted to sell on the journey to Washington county. This experiment, however, was only partially successful, and only by the strictest economy did he succeed in arriving at the end of his journey. He had finally reached West Middletown, six miles from his destination, when the soles of his shoes dropped off, but he passed on to the one or two houses then erected on the present site of Independence, where his relative resided. The long, tedious trip was accomplished, and the young traveler had just one cent in his pocket as capital stock to invest in new speculations. The reader who has followed the history of this brave youth so far will not ask, "did he despair?" Such men as he, like Washington, turn even defeat to victory; not that brilliant success immediately rewarded our heroic young pioneer, for, on the contrary, he began working as a farm hand at the very modest salary of $4 per month, at which he continued during the summer - in winter following his trade. Thus he struggled on for some time, and, although his small pile of savings did not increase with wonderful rapidity, each year some addition was made. In 1830 he joined a party, going to Richland (now Ashland) county, Ohio, and, upon his arrival there, purchased 160 acres of land and began the herculean task of clearing it, with his accustomed tireless energy. In 1834 he selected a life companion in the person of Mary Gregg, who was born in 1800, daughter of James and Elizabeth Gregg, both natives of County Donegal, Ireland, who had emigrated to America. Soon after their union, the young couple returned to Washington county, Penn., locating about a mile south of Independence, on a farm which became their permanent home. Quiet and unassuming in manner, disliking all forms of publicity, and finding his chief happiness in home life, Mr. Hanna was yet a remarkable clear-sighted business man, by natural and acquired gifts supplying the loss of a literary education, and working in the face of poverty and against such odds, he conquered. At the time of his death, Mr. Hanna owned an estate valued at over $40,000, this vast accumulation being the fruit of those early years of heroic self-denial, toil and patient waiting. Politically he voted the Democratic ticket, and in religious faith was, with his wife, a member of the Associate Reformed Church. He passed to his well-earned rest January 15, 1872, being followed by the wife of his youth, September 6, 1876. They left two children to mourn their loss: Elizabeth M. (Mrs. J.J. Stewart, of Cross Creek township) and James G. J. G. Hanna was born June 5, 1837, on the home farm in Independence township. He received a common school education, and afterward attended one term at the Washington and Jefferson College. On February 26, 1861, he was united in marriage with Mary A. McCreary, who died July 19, 1865, leaving one daughter, Mary A. (widow of John T. Liggett), born June 27, 1865 (deceased April 28, 1891). For his second wife Mr. Hanna, on March 12, 1868, married Jane A. Scott, born September 5, 1844, in Brooke county, W. Va., daughter of John and Jane (Henderson) Scott. This wife died April 16, 1881, leaving the following children: Nettie Bell (Mrs. J. H. Anderson of Pittsburgh, Penn.), Albert M. (deceased), Robert S. (deceased), a daughter deceased in infancy, Josie G., Birdie V. and Mabel J., all living at home. On January 3, 1883, Mr. Hanna made a third matrimonial choice in the person of Melissa J. Welch, who was born May 10, 1857, daughter of James M. and Jane (Lee) Welch, of Independence township. Two children were born to this union, viz: Jane L. and Richard W. (deceased in infancy). The mother died October 6, 1885, and on December 28, 1887, Mr. Hanna and Margaret L. (who was born January 24, 1848, daughter of Walter and Mary (Welch) Denny) were united in marriage. To them one child, Mary G., was born June 11, 1892. They now reside in an elegant home on the border of the village of Independence, one of the pleasantest locations in Independence township. Soon after his first marriage Mr. Hanna located on a farm about a half mile south of Independence, and successfully followed farming, moving to his present beautiful home in 1868. He is a recognized leader in political, business and religious circles, and has settled up various estates, including the valuable property of his father. Although the Democratic party, with which he affiliates, is in the minority in Independence township, he has been elected to various township offices of honor and trust, men of both parties having voted for him, regardless of political lines, and at the present time he is justice of the peace. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is a hearty supporter, having served twenty years as secretary of the church officers, and always contributing liberally to the cause.

Text taken from page 373 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed June 1997 by Marilyn K. MacKendrick of N. Charleston, SC as part of the Beers Project. Published June 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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