Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== Portrait and Biographical Record of Northern Michigan Record Publishing Company, Chicago - 1895 -131- HON. PERRY HANNAH. In presenting to the readers of this volume the biography of Mr. HANNAH, we are perpetuating the life work of one of the most honored residents of the state. Throughout a long, honorable and influential career, he has maintained that energy and integrity which characterized his earlier years. Nor has his success been merely in accumu- lating wealth, but in the better sense of the word he has been successful in serving others, in doing good, and in win- ning the esteem of a very large circle of acquaintances. Laborious and patient, exhibiting by his life his self-reliant spirit and strong individuality, he unconsciously exerts an influence that has a future as well as a present bearing upon the progress of Northern Michigan. Especially will the record of the life of Mr. HANNAH inte- rest the people of Traverse City, of which place he may be justly termed the "father." Coming here at a time when the present thriving city was a struggling hamlet, containing very few houses, and surrouned by a dense pine forest, he has lived to see the commercial and lumbering resources of this locality developed, and has himself been the most im- portant factor in its progress. During almost the entire period of his residence here, he has served as the Village President, and while occupying this position has been enabled to foster enterprise, promote the business interests, and aid with his hearty co-operation every public-spirited measure. Erie County, Pa., is the birthplace of Mr. HANNAH, and September 22, 1824, his natal day. His parents, ELIHU L. and ANN (McCANN) HANNAH, lived upon a farm in that county, and there the days of his boyhood and youth were unevent- fully passed. In 1837 he accompanied his father to Michi- gan, and settled in St. Clair County, where he was engaged for some time in rafting logs from Port Huron to Detroit. Later he was employed as clerk in the store of JOHN WELLS, of Port Huron. At the time Mr. HANNAH went to Chicago, in 1846, the great metropolis gave no evidence of its future prosperity. The land was swampy, the climate was considered unhealthful, and altogether visitors were unfavorably impressed. Near the lake shore stood a few business houses and residences, and at the harbor the steamers gave an air of life to the little place. However, while many considered that the town would never be more than an unimportant village, others, more keen-sighted, discerned evidences of future greatness. Such a one was Mr. HANNAH. He came to the town upon a lake boat, but having no money to pay his passage, he asked the captain to take him over, promising to pay him the money as soon as he could earn it. He landed in Chicago without a cent in his pocket, but was fortunate in securing a clerk- ship in the lumber-yard of JACOB BEIDLER, and in a few days paid to the captain the money he owed him. After having been in the employ of JACOB BEIDLER for four years, Mr. HANNAH, in 1850, formed a partnership in the lum- ber business with A. TRACY LAY and JAMES MORGAN, the firm name being HANNAH, LAY & Co. With the exception that WILLIAM MORGAN was afterward taken into the partnership, there has been no change in the firm during all the succeeding years. A partnership covering forty-five years is unusual in the business world, where changes are of such frequent occurrence. May 1, 1850, the newly organized firm opened an office with borrowed capital of $6,000. The following year the present location of Traverse City was purchased, and for two or three years Mr. HANNAH and Mr. LAY alternated the resident manage- ment. In 1854 Mr. HANNAH settled permanently in this ------------------------------------------------------------------ -132- place, and here he has since made his home, occupying one of the most elegant residences of Northern Michigan. On New Year's Day, 1852, he married Miss ANN AMELIA FLINT, who was born in New York Christmas Day of 1834. To them were born three children. The only son, JULIUS T., is cashier of the banking house of HANNAH, LAY & Co. at Traverse City. The daughters are Mrs. J. F. KEENEY, of Chicago; and CLARIBEL, Mrs. GEORGE W. GARDNER, of St. Paul. The business that was commenced on a small scale in 1850 has assumed immense proportions. In 1886 the entire lumber interests of the firm were sold, but there still remain the banking house and the large wholesale and retail mercantile business, the for- mer known as the Traverse City State Bank, and the latter con- ducted under the firm name of the HANNAY & LAY Mercantile Com- pany, of both of which organizations Mr. HANNAH is President. The large flourmill and the steamboat interests are located here, and also a portion of the valuable landed interests of the firm. In addition to these they are the owners of real estate in Chi- cago. Mr. HANNAH believes in the principles laid down in the Repub- lican platform, and has always given his adherence to that party. In 1856 and 1857 he represented his district, then covering al- most all of Northern Michigan, in the State Legislature. With that exception, however, he has steadfastly refused to accept state offices, although often urged to allow the use of his name as the Republican candidate for Governor. While declining state offices, he has always been willing to accept any post of responsi- bility in the village where he resides. Accordingly, he has served as its President almost constantly since its organization, has also been Township Supervisor a number of times, and for a quarter of a century was Moderator of the School Board. To the consideration of all subjects presented to him Mr. HANNAH brings the shrewdness and cautious judgment that have characterized his business career. As a citizen, he is upright and progressive, always identifying himself with any movement for the futherance of the community's interests. He belongs to the class of pioneer residents to whom so large a debt of grati- tude is due from the present generation, owing, as it does, all its advantages for a higher degree of culture and the refine- ments of life to the noble hearts who endured hardships and opened the way for civilization in the trackless wilderness. Though having attained to an advanced age, he is still in the enjoyment of good health, and, with mind and body unimpaired by the flight of time, can look back over his long and busy career and rejoice, not only in the worldly success that has attended him, but also in the high degree of respect which he has gained from his fellow-men. Often alluded to as the "father" of Traverse City, Mr. HANNAH'S history has been inseparably associated with that of the city of his creation. He has lived to see what was in years gone by a region of pine land transformed into a pros- perous country. Amid the arduous scenes of pioneer life he was ever found ready to lend a helping hand to those in want of assistance, and under all circumstances he has so conducted himself as to win the friendship of his associates. ===========================================================================