University of Virginia Library

JOHN MATTHEW HANNA

John Matthew Hanna, Councilman from Kimball
Ward, is one of Roanoke's wide-awake, progressive
citizens, who has done much in recent years for the
general upbuilding of
the city. He is a son
of Mr. and Mrs. Henry
Hanna and was born in
the city of Glasgow,
Scotland. His father
came to the United
States, when the subject
of this sketch was but
six years of age and
located in Philadelphia.
Mr. Hanna, while quite
a youth served his
apprenticeship in the
Crump Ship Yards of
Philadelphia and became
an expert machinist.
At the age of twenty-one
he accepted a position
with the Roanoke
Machine Works and came to this city where he has
since resided.

He worked at his trade, that of a machinist, for
several years after which he resigned and entered
actively into the business life of this city. He was
elected to the City Council from Kimball Ward in
1908 for a period of four years and as a member of
the Finance Committee passed on all appropriations
of money expended for municipal improvements. As
a member of the City Council, Mr. Hanna has always
been an earnest advocate of all propositions that had
for their object the general good and upbuilding of the
city. He framed the present liquor license law, which
is said by experts to be most equitable, fair and just
to everybody concerned and yet it brings an increased
revenue to the city. Mr. Hanna was married to
Miss Margaret C. Peoples, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.
George Peoples of Philadelphia, and as a result of that
union they have three children, two girls and one
son, Harry J. Hanna, who was presented with a scholarship
at Georgetown University where he received his
academic education and is now a law student at Washington
and Lee University.