James Hanna

James McLean Hanna (October 25, 1816 – January 15, 1872) was an American politician, lawyer, and judge from the state of Indiana who served in the Indiana State Senate and as a Justice on the Indiana Supreme Court. Biography Early life and education Born in Franklin County, Indiana to a prominent local family, Hanna worked on the family farm throughout his childhood. Despite having only a few months of formal education, Hanna was a voracious reader. Following an apprenticeship in Brookville, Hanna gained his license to practice law in 1841 and moved to Bowling Green. Judicial service, political career, and later life A Democrat, Hanna first became involved in Indiana politics after he was appointed Governor James Whitcomb's personal secretary. Hanna served as a prosecuting attorney in the state's Seventh Circuit Court from 1844 to 1846. Hanna ran for a seat in the Indiana House of Representatives but was defeated. He was later elected to serve in the Indiana Senate from 1849 to 1852, representing Clay, Sullivan, and Vigo counties.