Perry Hannah | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 1stMayor of Traverse City | |
| In office May 18, 1895 – January 1, 1896 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Harry C. Davis |
| 1st and 3rd Village President of Traverse City | |
| In office 1881–1885 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Benjamin D. Ashton |
| In office 1887 – May 18, 1895 | |
| Preceded by | Benjamin D. Ashton |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Member of theMichigan House of Representatives fromGrand Traverse County | |
| In office January 7, 1857 – December 31, 1858 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1824-09-22)September 22, 1824 Erie County,Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | August 16, 1904(1904-08-16) (aged 79) Traverse City,Michigan, U.S. |
| Resting place | Oakwood Cemetery |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | Perry Hannah House |
| Occupation | Businessman, lumber baron, merchant, banker, politician |
Perry Hannah (/hæˈnə/HAN-ə; September 22, 1824 – August 16, 1904) was an Americanpolitician,businessman,lumber baron,merchant andbanker, who was well involved in the settling and early industrialization of theGrand Traverse Bay region ofMichigan. Hannah also helped to establish theTraverse City State Hospital, apsychiatric hospital. Hannah is often referred to as the "Father ofTraverse City".[1]
Perry Hannah was born on September 22, 1824, on a farm outsideErie,Pennsylvania, to Elihu L. Hannah and Anna McCabb, both ofScottish descent.[2][3] In 1827, Perry's mother died, prompting his father to send him to his grandmother's house while attending public schools inErie County.[1]
In 1840, a young Perry relocated toPort Huron, Michigan, following his father, who had moved there for work some years prior. After working various jobs in Port Huron, Hannah began working for aChicago lumber company. Subsequently, in 1846, Hannah moved once again to Chicago to work forJacob Beidler, one of Chicago's wealthiest lumbermen.[1][4]
In 1849, Hannah partnered with A. Tracy Lay and James Morgan, both other Chicago lumbermen, to found Hannah, Lay and Company, a lumber firm with property at the head of theGrand Traverse Bay and along theBoardman River, then known as the "Ottawa River". This property was purchased from Horace Boardman, a native ofNaperville, Illinois. Boardman, a wealthy farmer, sailed to the bay in 1847, and built a smallsawmill.[2][5]
In 1851, Hannah, Lay & Co. purchased the sawmill from the Boardman family, and began cutting 50-60 thousand acres of land in the Boardman River valley. Hannah's company improved the now-dilapidated mill, increasing its investment and promise, thus attracting workers and settlers to Northwest Michigan.
In 1853, the only operating post office in the Grand Traverse Bay region was the one located atOld Mission, which was then known as "Grand Traverse". While inWashington, D.C. in 1852, A. Tracy Lay, one of Hannah's business partners, had succeeded in getting the U.S. Post Office to authorize a newpost office at his sawmill settlement, which was to be known as "Grand Traverse City", after the eponymous bay. Lay proposed this name for its post office, but thePost Office Department clerk suggested dropping the "Grand" from the name, as to limit confusion between this new office and the one at nearby Old Mission. Lay agreed to the new, shortened name of "Traverse City" for the post office, and the village took on this name.
AsTraverse City grew, Hannah, Lay & Co. offered more jobs, such as general mercantile and banking.[1] By 1856, the company was the largest employer in the area, essentially making Traverse City acompany town; anyone who desired a job with Hannah, Lay & Co. would receive one in Traverse City. The company built much of the infrastructure along Front Street and the Boardman River, a majority of which still stands today.
In 1857, Hannah ran for and won a seat in the 19th legislature of theMichigan House of Representatives, as aRepublican representing the newly formedGrand Traverse County.[3] He served on the Federal Relations and Indian Affairs committees.
Hannah was a supporter and ally ofAbraham Lincoln and theUnion during theAmerican Civil War. In 1862, Hannah gave a speech addressing 25 Union enlistees departing Traverse City, stating that they were "gallant men who have left their families and their workshops to fight the battles of their country".[6] Hannah was a Republicanelector from Michigan in the elections of1864,1888, and1900.[7][8][9] Furthermore, Hannah was a delegate to theRepublican National Convention from Michigan in 1872, 1880, and 1888.[10][11][12]
In 1881, the small community of Traverse City became a village, and Hannah became the town's firstvillage president. He served two nonconsecutive terms, separated by Benjamin D. Ashton, a fellow Republican, physician, andClermont County, Ohio native.[13][14] On May 18, 1895, Traverse City was awarded a city charter by the Michigan Legislature.[15][16] The office of village president was abolished, and Hannah automatically became the firstmayor of Traverse City, serving until the end of that year.[14]
Also In 1881, the Northern Michigan Asylum, later theTraverse City State Hospital, was established as the demand for a thirdpsychiatric hospital in Michigan, in addition to those established inKalamazoo andPontiac, began to grow.[17] Perry Hannah famously used his political influence to secure its location in Traverse City.[18] The hospital opened in 1885, and lasted until 1989.[19]
In 1852, Hannah married Anna Amelia Flint ofNew York City. Together, they had three children: Julius (born 1858), Claribel (born 1864), and Hattie (born 1874).[1][20] After living in a small cottage, the family moved into a newmansion located on Sixth Street in Traverse City.[21][22] The mansion was completed in 1893, and continued to house members of the Hannah family until 1937.
Hannah died at age 79 on August 16, 1904, at his home in Traverse City, after suffering astroke.[23] His funeral took place on August 25, and was buried at Traverse City's Oakwood Cemetery.[24] After his death, his son Julius took over operations of the family company.
Hannah's name can still be found throughout the Traverse City area. Hannah Park and Hannah Avenue in Traverse City both bear his name. Additionally, the small hamlet ofHannah and Hannah Road, in nearbyMayfield Township was also named after him.
Perry Hannah's Mansion on Sixth Street in Traverse City continues to be preserved, and today is home to Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. The home has operated as a funeral home since 1937.[25]
In 2015, a statue of Hannah was unveiled at the corner of Sixth and Union Streets in downtown Traverse City. A plaque honoring him as the "Father of Traverse City" is also at the site, now known as the "Perry Hannah Plaza".[26][27]
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