James L. Hannett Biography


	This biography appears on pages 871-872 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	JAMES L. HANNETT, junior member of the prominent law firm of 
Preston & Hannett, of Mitchell, was born in Washington county, New 
York, on the 28th of March, 1855, being a son of Edward and Elizabeth 
(Bailey) Hannett, of whose seven children six are living at the present 
time, the subject having been the youngest in the family. Edward 
Hannett was born in County Down, Ireland, where he was reared and 
educated, there learning the trade of shoemaker. His wife was born in 
the same county, and there three of their children were born. In 1837 
they emigrated to the United States, and for three years they remained 
in the eastern states, the father working at his trade in various towns 
and cities, and he then came to the west, locating in the city of 
Chicago, where he was engaged in the shoe business for a number of 
years, being successful in his efforts and living retired in that city 
for several years prior to his death, which occurred in 1884. He was a 
member of the Catholic church, as was also his wife, who is now dead, 
and in politics he gave his support to the Democracy.  

	The subject of this review remained at the parental home until he 
had attained the age of sixteen years, his educational advantages in 
the meanwhile having been such as were afforded in the public schools. 
At the age mentioned he entered Masson College, near the city of 
Montreal, Canada, and during the pursuit of his studies there lived in 
the home of his brother, William, at Middle Granville, New York. He was 
graduated in the college as a member of the class of 1874, and soon 
afterward was matriculated in the law department of the University of 
Michigan, at Ann Arbor, having previously taken up the study of law 
under the preceptorship of Hon. M. C. Betts, of the firm of Betts & 
Grover, of Granville, New York, the junior member of said firm now 
being the general counsel of the Great Northern Railroad. Mr. Hannett 
completed the prescribed course in the law department of the university 
and was there graduated as a member of the class of 1876, receiving the 
degree of Bachelor of Laws. He then went to Amsterdam, New York, where 
he continued his study of the law in the office of Z. A. Westbrook 
about one year, after which he located in the town of Whitehall, that 
state, where he was engaged in the practice of his profession about 
four years. In 1882 Mr. Hannett came to Mitchell, South Dakota, and in 
July of that year here opened a law office, forming a professional 
partnership with T. E. Blanchard, with whom he continued to be 
associated in practice for seven years, after which he continued an 
individual practitioner until 1892, when he entered into partnership 
with H. C. Preston. This alliance continued for five years, at the 
expiration of which Mr. Preston removed to the city of Sioux Falls, the 
subject continuing in practice at Mitchell. In 1901 Mr. Preston 
returned to Mitchell, and the two attorneys again entered into 
partnership relations, under the firm name of Preston & Hannett, the 
firm having to do with much important litigation and having a 
representative clientele.  

	Mr. Hannett is a stalwart advocate of the principles of the 
Republican party, and in 1888 he was elected district attorney, in 
which capacity he served two years, making a most creditable record as 
a prosecutor. In 1891 he was elected county judge, presiding on the 
bench for a term of two years. He is at the present time a member of 
the board of aldermen of the city of Mitchell and is president of the 
municipal council. Fraternally, he is identified with the Ancient Order 
of United Workmen, the Modern Woodmen of America and the Home 
Guardians, while his religious faith is that of the Catholic church, of 
which he is a communicant.  

	On the 12th of August, 1877, was solemnized the marriage of Judge 
Hannett to Miss Martha Ryan, of Schenectady county, New York, and of 
their nine children all are living except Leo, who died at the age of 
eleven. The others are Ray, Nellie, William, Edward, Bessie James L., 
Mary and Rachel, and all remain at the parental home.