Hanna - James Thomas - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

James T. Hanna, one of the most prominent citizens of Putnam county, died at his home Friday morning at 3:30 o’clock. The funeral, of the largest ever held in north Putnam, took place Sunday morning, May 13, at 9 o’clock, at his beautiful country home conducted by Rev. T.J. Shuey, of Waveland. After a sermon from Romans v. 8 the minister said: “What I have said applies to the living, not to the dead. It is not the province of a minister of the gospel to sit in judgment on the living, much less on the dead. Now, however, I will endeavor to pay due respect to the memory of him whose body lies before us, one whom I loved as I love but few men. James T. Hanna was born near Waveland, Montgomery county, Ind., Oct. 20, 1837, departed this life May 11, 1894, aged 56 years, 6 months and 21 days. He was twice married, Aug. 13, 1868, to Emma Mercer, who died Sept. 20, 1869. To this union was born one child, Lizzie. On Sept 20, 1871, he was married to Dulcenia Young. To this union were born seven children, all of whom are living. For a period of six or seven years prior to attaining his majority he was severely afflicted with white swelling which rendered him a cripple for life. Notwithstanding this physical disadvantage he was an active and energetic business man. He came to this county in 1868, purchasing the farm on which he resided at the time of his death. He never united with any church, neither was he a member of any secret society. But he was one of nature’s noble men. Perhaps no man ever lived in this community who had as many earnest warm friends as he whose body now lies before us in the cold embrace of death. He was ever ready with outstretched hand to aid and assist those who needed his help. His life has been such that he has erected to his memory a monument in the hearts of the people which shall outlast and outshine all the granite and marble of the world. His motto was “Do unto others as you would that others should do unto you,” and right manfully did he live up to it. He leaves behind to mourn their great loss a devoted wife, eight dear children, eight brothers, four sisters, and a host of relatives and friends. Thus has gone from your midst one whom you have long known and one whom we delight to honor. We have come as neighbors, friends and fellow-citizens as well as fellow travelers to the bar of God, to mingle our tears together, to tender our sympathies and to bear testimony to his virtues. Many of us had learned to love him, all to respect him, and his memory will be cherished by us after a cold world has forgotten him. In his death your county loses one of its best citizens, your community one of its most useful men, your neighborhood one of its best neighbors. As a business man James T. Hanna had but few superiors. I need not speak of his success. Honesty, integrity, frugality and perseverance were some of his cardinal virtues. He was a man possessed of a master mind, an unconquerable will never yielding to discouragements and attending strictly to his own business. You will indulge me I know if I bear personal testimony, for while some of you have known him longer none knew him better. No man enjoyed more intimate acquaintance with him than did I for eight long years. He was a friend to me, when to be a friend meant vital persecution, yet he never wavered. He was a friend, not because of others but in spite of others. Many times has he encouraged me when the inevitable seemed to stare me in the face. There are many things to commend in the life of James T. Hanna. I dare not hold him up to you as a model man in the full sense of that term; he had his faults in common with other men. To present him, therefore, as a model would be to do violence to my subject and transcend my privilege as well as his wishes. These cold lips would enter a solemn protest against any attempt to eulogize or extol his virtues. He did not court applause during life and needs none after death. His life work has finished, he has passed to the great beyond. Interment was made at Brick Chapel, five miles north of Greencastle. Mr. Hanna was a life long Republican, and was a delegate to the last State Convention. -- thanks Sue P for this super great one :)