Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

skilled in the work, for step by step he
rose in responsibility until he attained
the position of overseer, installing all the
looms at the Mineral Springs mill in 1883.
From there he went to Hydeville, as
overseer, remaining there about two years
and a half. During these years he had
saved sufficient capital to enable him to
engage in independent business, and he
established himself in the retail shoe
trade in Stafford Springs, Connecticut, in
due course of time building up a fine bus-
iness.
Upon locating in Stafford Springs, Mr.
Hanley entered energetically and intelli-
gently into public affairs. He was an
aggressive townsman, and sought to
advance its interests constantly. Almost
at the outset he was elected to town
office, in 1884 the labors pertaining to the
office of tax collector being vested in him,
and he served in that capacity for six
years, 1884-89. He gained in general
popularity, and in 1891 was chosen by the
people of Stafford Springs to act as their
representative in the State Legislature,
or General Assembly. That he served
them well is evident in the fact that he
was returned to the House, altogether
serving in the sessions of 1891-93. Other
matters, including his own business, kept
him out of public office for some years
thereafter, but for three years, 1900-02, he
was a member of the school board, served
on the Court of Burgesses, and in many
other ways materially aided the administration.
During the years 1911-15, Mr.
Hanley was a member of the Board of
Park Commissioners, resigning this office
when appointed by President Wilson to
the postmastership of Stafford Springs,
an office for which he was well fitted.
Needless to say this appointment was in
accord with the wish of the people of
Stafford Springs in general, and particu-
larly of the Democratic section. He took
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
227
the office of postmaster on February 1,
1915. He was also for many years a member
of the State Democratic Committee
and of the local Democratic Town Com-
mittee.
Mr. Hanley was very popular in fra-
ternal circles, and he devoted much time
to the proceedings and maintaining in
active, useful charity of the local branches
of the orders to which he belonged.
These were the Ancient Order of United
Workmen, of which he was master workman
; Knights of Columbus, in which he
served as grand knight of the local order;
Ancient Order of Hibernians, and For-
esters of America. Socially he was a
member of the Stafford Club. He was
devout in the observances of the Catholic
church, and was a trustee of St. Edward's
Church at Stafford Springs, in which both
he and his wife held membership, as do
those of his children residing at home.
Mr. Hanley was a man of sterling quali-
ties, upright in business and greatly
respected.
Mr. Hanley was married in St. Ed-
ward's Church, Stafford Springs, by the
Rev. Patrick Donohue, on November 4,
1880, to Rose, daughter of Patrick and
Mary Clark, a native of Ireland. She
died December 7, 1899. Eight children
were born to them, namely: 1. John P.,
born February 22, 1882 ; received the
degree of Doctor of Medicine, and is now
engaged in medical practice at Stafford
Springs. 2. William J., born August,
1883. 3. Mary B., born 1885. 4. Rose
M., born August, 1888. 5. Bernard C,
born July, 1894. 6. Alice T., born October,
1895. 7. Mildred C, born Septem-
ber, 1896. 8. Walter J., born July, 1899.
The funeral services of Mr. Hanley were
held at St. Edward's Church with a solemn
high mass. Interment was in St
Edward's Cemetery.