The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-06
Kansas Man Who Achieved Fame
at Washington.
Solicitor for the U. S. Navy De-
partment.
HOME WAS AT SALIVA
Relative of Mrs. N. H. LoOmis,
Formerly of Topeka.
Was Private Secretary to Four
Secretaries of Interior.

Washington. July edwin L.
Hanna of Salina, Kan, for ten years
or more counselor for the navy de-
partment, is dead. His death was
sudden, resulting from an acute at
tack of Bright's disease. The funeral,
which was private, took place from
the family residence in Twentieth
street and the body laid to rest in
Rock Creek cemetery yesterday after
noon.
the famous Schley court of inquiry
in 1900. He assisted the then judge
advocate general, S. A. Lemley, and
in the final argument spoke for two
days. Mr. Hanna's death occurred on
the eleventh anniversary of the battle
of Santiago, where Admiral SehIey-
was the officer in command, and
which was responsible for the court
OF inquiry
He was born in Chester, ILL.,, De-
cember 25, 1850. His father was a
newspaper man. In 1860 his parents
moved to Salina. where the elder
Hanna started the Salina Herald.
Young Hanna entered the Kansas
Agricultural college at Manhattan,
from which institution he was grad
uated with hOnors. A year after
graduation he entered the University
of Michigan, and was graduated from
the academic department Imme-
diately after leaving college Mr.. Han
ma entered the newspaper field with
MS IaLner- he worked IN TINS pro-
fession until 1872, when he married
Lucretia J. Hines. After his marriage
he came to Washington with his
uncle, Col. W. A. Philips, a mem Der
OF congress from the SunnoWer state
Upon the arrival of Mr.. Hanna in
the national capital he entered the gov
eminent service. He served as private
secretary to four secretaries of the de-
partment Of the interior-Teller, Kirk
wood, Lamar, and Schurz. In 1877 he
went to New Orleans with the electoral
commission which he served as secre-
tary. He studied law at the old Co
lumbia university Of this city, from
which institution he was graduated
with first honors. He won especial
mention from the faculty of the law
school for extemporaneous speaking.
Following his service to Secretary La
mar, he entered the law field of the
District of Columbia and practiced law
for two years, when he was appointed
a law clerk in the judge advocate gem
erals office of the navy department
He soon made a record for himself and
leading civil lawyer Of the navy de-
partment.
& Immediately otter the schIey in
quiry he was made the chief clerk of
which capacity he served until early
IN 1904, when the Office of solicitor
for the navy department was created
fer him. This was during the latter
part Of 1898. and Mr.. Hanna held that i
Office to the time of his death. For
many years he held the title of chess
champion of the District of Columbia.
During the winter months he taught
stenOgraphy to a class of young men
at the Y. NJ. c. A.
OF Scotch ancestry, Mr.. Hanna was
brought up in the Presbyterian faith |
ana attended the Church of the Cove !
nent IN this city. Four children sur
vive him: Frank r. Hanna of New |
York; Margaret, Alice and Lulu Han
of this civ His wife died several {
years ago. He was a cousin of Mrs
n. H. LOOMS formerly of Topeka.