The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1891-12-10
Hon. .. j. y. Hanna.


On Tuesday morning. by tele-
graphic dispatches from Washing
ton City, came the mournful tidings
that Capt. Hanna had departed this
life ut the home Of his son, Edwin p.
Hanna. He was well known In this
city and had many warm personal
friends. He was also extensively
known throughout the state, and his
death will be regarded as . public
loss. He was . prominent figure In
the state Of Illinois before coming to
Kansas. We have not the materials
for even . biographical sketch Of his
life, though we may notice the fol-
lowing items In his career. He was
born about So years ago.
He grew up from boyhood to man
hood in Southern Illinois. He early
became . Journalist. He had scarce
ly reached his majority when he as
sumed the editorship Of the Chester
Herald, which he successfully
managed for . number of years.
At "a years Of age he was married
to Miss Margaret Phillips, sister Of
our fellow townsman Col. Phillips.
From Chester he went to Springfield,
the capital Of the state, rs chief
clerk In the Illinois legislature, and
soon thereafter was associated with
Mr.. Rust, an eminent lawyer, in the
editorial management Of q Republic
can paper which did effective ser
vice In the campaign that resulted
In the election of abraham Lincoln
to the presidency Of the United
States.
At the beginning Of the war Of the
rebellion, he espoused, Of course, the
cause Of the Union, received from
the war governor, Richard Yates,
the appointment Of qusrter-master, |
and throughout the conflict render
ed able and faithful service. He es-
pecially showed himself to be a man
Of resources at Mobile and with
Grant at Vicksburg. He was just
and popular in his administration
Of the "Commisssry Of subsistence"
Soon after the war, he was. for q
time connected with the Alton
Courier. About this time he was
named for lieutenaut-governor Of
Illinois and only missed this honor
by two or three votes In the Republic
can Convention.
In 1867 he moved with his family
to Kansas, and settled in Salins.
Here he established the first news
paper, the Salina Herald, in this
city and conducted 1t with ability and
success for twelve years. We need
not say that 1t was Republican in
politics, and 1t was recognized as q
advocate Of the principles Of
Under President Hayes admins
he was appointed register Of
Of the Land office at WsKeeney, and
to discharge the duties of
that position until superseded by
during the presidency Of
Grover Cleveland.
Since that time his home has been
In WsKeeney. In 1888 he was elect
ed member Of the legislature from
Trego county, and as in other posts
Of duty, served his constituents with
diligence and fidelity. /
For the last two or three years his
health has been rapidly declining.
About month ago his friends took
him to Washington City where his
two sons reside and have positions in
the government, hoping that change
Of associations would be beneficial,
and where there would be an OPP
portunity of obtaining the most
skillful medical treatment; but all
In vain; for he has now gone "the
way Of all the EARTH" leaving his
excellent companion and two sons
and two daughters to mourn his de-
psrture.
Capt. Hanna, soon after his
marriage, united with the Presby-
.erian church, and during his life
continued i'm that connection. His
mothers name was Spillman-a
name we'll known in Kentucky and
furnished a large
number Of Presbyterian ministers
or several generations. Out de-
ceased friend stood high as q Mason,
regarded by his brethren as leader,
md as an authority in Masonic his
DRY and literature. In this respect,
perhaps, he had no superior in the
tate.
AS q public man he discharged his
luties with credit and honor to him.
elf. AS q private citizen, he was
yenial and generous, and worthy Of.
for his excellences,
while his faults, land who has them
lot) cleaned to virtues side" This
whole community join in loving
with his relatives and
smily in their irreparable loss.
His remains will probably arrive
n SalIna Friday or Saturday, and
he burial services will be held SUM-
In ~ xvftb Maaop;a honara