Biography of 	HANNA, Robert, Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Submitted by 	Mike Miller August 1998

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Hanna, Robert, capitalist, largely interested in various New Orleans and
other corporations, was born at New Orleans, La., May 26, 1871, son of
Capt. John Holmes and Elizabeth (Spires) Hanna, the former of whom was of
Irish and the latter of English parentage.  Capt. John Holmes Hanna, the
father, was during many years actively engaged in grain and steamboat
business at New Orleans, where he early acquired the title of ''The Corn
King of New Orleans.''  He was largely identified with many of the most
important enterprises of New Orleans throughout a long, active, and
unusually successful business career.  Seven children were born to their
union.  For full details as to the parents and children, see sketch of
Capt. J. Stonewall Hanna, elsewhere in this work.  Robert Hanna, the
subject of this sketch, received his early education at the public schools
of New Orleans, where he graduated from the Boys' high school.  Later he
matriculated at the University of the South, Sewanee, Tenn., from which
institution also he in due time graduated.  His first business undertaking,
after the completion of his education, was the handling of coal in large
quantities at New Orleans.  This enterprise was a success from its
inception, and he continued at the head of the business about 10 years, at
the expiration of which time he became associated with his brothers, Capt.
J. Stonewall Hanna and Richard J. Hanna (elsewhere referred to in this
work), in the ownership and operation of the Orleans Metal Bed Co., one of
the large and important manufacturing enterprises of the city.  The name of
Robert Hanna has become intimately connected with a number of the leading
business organizations of the city in which he lives.  Among these various
affiliations it may be mentioned that he is a stockholder in the New
Orleans National bank, the U. S. Trust & Savings bank, the Hibernia
Insurance Co., the Times-Democrat Printing Co., and other corporations and
enterprises of like importance, including also the Cullett Gin Co., of
Amite City, La.  July 5, 1892, Robert Hanna was married to Miss Mathilde
Virginia Zebal , a daughter of H. L. and Adele (Morgan) Zebal, of New
Orleans.  H. L. Zebal was one of the best known citizens of New Orleans,
brought into prominence born by his military and civil career.  During the
dark days of the Civil war he served the cause of the Confederacy as
commissary sergeant of the famous Washington artillery, and during these
years of stubbornly-contested battlefields and sanguinary conflicts,
established a record for gallantry in action in every way worthy to be
cherished by his descendants.  Not until after the surrender did he return
to his civil pursuits, when he became associated with T. C. Peyan in the
clothing business, their store being located in the business portion of the
old St. Charles Hotel building.  He remained in this connection about 5
years, following which he became connected with the well-known and widely
popular business house of Leon Godchaux, thus remaining throughout about 42
years, after which he engaged in the insurance business with W. C. Wilcox,
continuing in this latter association to the end of his active business
career.  The mother of Mrs. Robert Hanna, was a daughter of Colonel Charles
Morgan, of Pointe Coup=E9e, one of the most widely-known citizens of
Louisiana.  Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hanna have two children, namely:  Roy, now
a student at Soule' college, New Orleans, and Mathilde Elizabeth.  Members
of the family are regular attendants at Trinity Episcopal church, where
members of Mr. Hanna's family have been constant attendants during more
than 40 years.

Source:  Louisiana: Comprising Sketches of Parishes, Towns, Events,
Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form, volume 3, 
pp. 765-766.  Edited by Alc e Fortier, Lit. D.  Published in 1914, by 
Century Historical Association.