The Major John Hannah Family

The pictures in this album consist of a collection of photographs, letters and documents from the Major John Hannah family. This collection was bequeathed to a close friend of Geraldine Hannah Blanton, granddaughter of Major Hannah. This close
family friend has held the collection for many years in boxes and clusters, essentially as the collection was given to
him. It has been stored by him in an attic with little notion of preservation other than to retain it all intact, and the collection was recently given to the Oliver Springs Historical Society. Despite having been stored so haphazardly, the collection is in remarkably good condition, and consists of, among other items, a remarkable assortment of first generation
prints and negatives pertaining to the Major John Hannah family and associates. Major John Hannah and wife Lillie
Gerding Hannah had two sons, Harvey H. Hannah and Gerald Gerding Hannah. Harvey H. Hannah led a storied life
that included distinguished service during the Spanish-American War, after which he entered a life of public service.
After an unsuccessful run for U.S. Representative, he accepted a position of Adjutant General for the State of Tennessee, a position he held under two successive governorships. According to Snyder Roberts, it was during this time that he
acquired the “General” to his title. In 1906, Harvey was elected to the office of Railroad Commissioner for the State of
Tennessee, and held that position until 1936, when failing health stymied his active campaigning. He is buried in the
Oliver Springs Cemetery.
Gerald Gerding Hannah, like his brother Harvey, was much interested in politics, and for many years was active
in local and regional politics. He served as Mayor for the town of Oliver Springs. The Hannah/McFerrin house, named
“Colonial Hall” since the late 1800’s, actually dates back to around 1830, well before the Hannah family acquired it.
Colonial Hall is the focal point of a good many of the photographs in this collection, and documents the home from
back around 140 years.
The information listed below about Gen. Harvey H. Hannah further illustrates just how significant this trove of
pictures is. His grandfather Frederick Gerding was a true founding father of the town, his mother Lillie Gerding Hannah
McFerrin was a notable society belle and resolute woman who was actively engaged in the same political circles in
which her sons ran.
Harvey H. Hannah was born in Louisville, Kentucky on August 30, 1868, a product of the marriage of Confederate Major John Harvey Hannah and Lillie Gerding Hannah. After their marriage, they soon moved to Oliver Springs
where Lillie’s father had taken possession of the old Dick Oliver Estate as part of a court settlement arising from the
failure of the land company that had established the town of Wartburg, Tennessee. George Frederick Gerding had invested heavily in this venture, but due to many obstacles, the company foundered and by Civil War’s end was a hopeless bust with the only solution being protracted litigation. Encouraged by Gerding’s adopting of Oliver Springs as his
new home, the Major and Lillie soon followed, with young Harvey in tow.
The story is recorded by the late historian Snyder Roberts of young Harvey’s blossoming into a fine speaker.
Roberts recounted in his book “The History of Oliver Springs and Its People, Vol. III” that Harvey would attend church
and listen with rapt attention to every word proffered forth by the minister, then after services would gather the small
neighborhood children together in the back yard where he would then preach the sermon to the young audience nearly
verbatim.
It seems apparent from writings and anecdotal evidence that young Harvey’s Grandfather Gerding had an immense and lasting influence on him, especially after his father Maj. John Hannah died from complications arising from
his old war wound he received in the bloody Battle of Shiloh in West Tennessee. In July 1884 Harvey was called to the
bedside of his grandfather Gerding, who gingerly rolled the chain of his prized watch around the stem, tenderly handed
it to Harvey, and passed on to the next realm.
Much of Harvey’s higher education was accomplished in Georgia where Lillie had moved with Dr. R.A. McFerrin, whom she had married in 1881 after the death of Maj. John Hannah. Harvey proved to be a brilliant student ultimately graduating from the University of Tennessee College of Law where he was valedictorian of his graduating class,
coming home to Oliver Springs and a newly established law practice. Several meaningful positions were to follow for
the young and increasingly politically connected attorney. Harvey accepted a position as administrative assistant to
Governor Robert L. Taylor of Tennessee. But the drums of war were rolling….
With the onset of hostilities between the United Stated and Spain, Harvey felt compelled to join the Army,
where he received the rank of Colonel. After the short-lived conflict in Cuba was over, he stayed on during the occupation of Cuba while a new government was put into place.

After leaving Cuba and arriving back stateside, Harvey soon found himself busy once again in the political arena.
After an unsuccessful run for U.S. Representative, he accepted a position of Adjutant General for the State of Tennessee, a position he held under two successive governorships. According to Snyder Roberts, it was during this time that he
acquired the “General” to his title. In 1906, Harvey was elected to the office of Railroad Commissioner for the State of
Tennessee, and held that position until 1936, when failing health stymied his active campaigning. The “Little Black Bulldog From Roane”, the name given to him for his jet black hair, dark steely gaze and his fearless tenacity, lost in the general election.
By 1936, Harvey H. Hannah was a desperately sick man. His legendary voice reduced to a whisper, he was soon
confined to his home in Oliver Springs. Word was out that he was not long for this world, and a steady stream of old
friends, dignitaries, and celebrities soon were making the pilgrimage to Oliver Springs to bring best wishes. One of these
was Governor Hill McAlister, with whom Harvey had formed a deep friendship. When Governor McAlister asked if
there was anything he could do for the ailing Harvey, the feeble statesman replied, “Hill, I know money is hard to come
by, but I hope you will find enough state money to finish the Oliver Springs-Harriman Highway”. The highway had been
a dream of Harvey H. Hannah for years, but with the protracted malaise that was known as the Great Depression, the
money had proven elusive. Now, though, with his dear friend lying on what would prove to be his deathbed, Governor
McAlister resolved to find the funds to finish Harvey’s cherished road.
Harvey H. Hannah died shortly after noon on November 8th,1936. His funeral was held in the Oliver Springs
High School Auditorium, with services conducted by Presbyterian Minister J.W. Dunlap. Delivering the eulogy was
none other than Governor Hill McAlister, saying a final goodbye to his cherished friend, “The Little Black Bulldog From
Roane”.
In a particularly precious aside to the photos featuring the Hannah/Gerding/McFerrin families, the collection also
contains a splendid assortment of photos that show Old Town Oliver Springs, with buildings either showcased in the
frame or in backdrop to the aforementioned characters. This gives us an insight into the town as it was, with many noble
structures in evidence, some of which survive to the present day, while others have fallen victim to fire or the wrecking
ball.

The digitization of this voluminous trove of photographs was made possible due to a generous grant provided by the Tennessee State Archives Commission.