Septimus J. Hanna - Legal Career

Legal Career

In 1872 Judge Hanna was offered a partnership in Chicago, where he moved and remained there in active practice until late in 1879, when failing health from Tuberculosis, caused him to move to the dryer climate of Colorado. Judge Hanna located in the then new town of Leadville where, on recovering his health somewhat he engaged in the active practice of his profession. During his residence of upwards of ten years there, Judge Hanna participated as counsel in much important mining litigation.

During President Chester Arthur's administration, Judge Hanna held the office of Register of the United States Land Office at Leadville, Colorado, then one of the most important federal offices in the state, as through it were entered,, for United States patent, the mining territory and vacant government lands embraced within an area of country extending west to the Utah line, and covering much of the most valuable mineral lands in the state. This position amounted to a quasi-judicial position, as there were many contests before the register over mining claims, some of which involved millions of dollars.

During Judge Hanna's residence in Iowa and Colorado he took an active interest in politics, being an ardent Republican, and aiding its cause in every way, privately and on the stump.

Judge Hanna was also city attorney of Council Bluffs for several years. In 1879 he moved to Leadville, Colorado, and was registrar of the United States Land Office there from 1882 to 1886. He continued to practice law from 1886 to 1890.