George Washington Hanna

HANNA, MELROSE

Posted By: P. Bergmeier (email)
Date: 2/25/2005 at 16:50:55

George Washington Hanna was born November 20, 1817, in White County, Illinois, where he was reared on a farm. His parents, John and Mary Hanna, were natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland respectively. They were married in Kentucky, being early settlers of that State. In 1810 they removed to Illinois, where they lived in a blockhouse for some time owing to the hostility of the Indians. He was married in 1837 to Mary Melrose, born in Edwards County, Illinois, June 9, 1821, and of nine children born to this union seven survive-John I., in Texas; George W., of Luverne, Iowa; Robert W., also of Luverne; Phil C., an evangelist of the Free-Will Baptist church; Emily, living in Texas; Mary, at home, and Edith M., residing in Dakota. In July, 1845, Mr. Hanna removed with his family to Black Hawk County, Iowa, he being the first white settler in this county. For several years he was engaged in the mercantile trade at Waterloo, but has made farming the principal avocation of his life. His home farm contains ninety-five acres of good land, beside which he also owns eighty acres a short distance from his present farm. He was the first justice of the peace of this county, serving five years when he resigned. He and his wife are members of the Free-Will Baptist church.

Source: History of Black Hawk County
p.284