Rutland

HANRAHAN, John David

Men of Vermont: Illustrated Biographical History of Vermonters & Sons of 
Vermont. Ullery. Brattleboro: Transcript Publishing Company, 1894, pp 178-180

John David HANRAHAN, of Rutland [Rutland County, Vermont], was born 18 
January 1844 in Rathkeale, County Limmerick, Ireland, son of James and Ellen 
(O'CONNOR) HANRAHAN. He attended the National schools in the place of his 
nativity until his father removed with the family to New York City. Here he 
became a pupil of the free academy, then entered the New York Medical 
University, where he remained until 1861, when at the breaking out of the 
Rebellion he entered the U. S. Navy as surgeon. During 1861-1862-1863 he 
served in the Potomac flotilla, and on 23 August 1863 the vessel on which he 
was serving was captured and all on board made prisoners. After being in 
Richmond for six weeks he was paroled and transferred to Washington. While a 
paroled prisoner in Washington he attended a course of medical lectures at 
the medical department of Georgetown University. In the early spring of 1864 
he was exchanged and ordered to duty in the North Atlantic squadron, where he 
served under Admirals LEE and PORTER until discharged in July 1865. Two 
years subsequently he received his diploma from the medical department of the 
New York University, practiced in New York until the spring of 1869, when he 
removed to Rutland, where he has since resided and built up an extensive 
general practice.

Dr. HANRAHAN has been connected with various medical societies, in which he 
has taken an active interest and held many positions of trust and 
responsibility. Outside of his professional duties he has been largely 
influential in both town and state affairs, has been trustee of the village 
of Rutland, as well as president of the board; was appointed president of the 
Rutland County pension board in 1885, the duties of which he so acceptably 
discharged that, notwithstanding his loyal adherence to the Democratic party, 
President HARRISON continued him in office until his resignation to accept the 
position of postmaster of the city of Rutland, which appointment he received 
from President CLEVELAND in 1893. A strong Irish Nationalist in his views, 
Dr. HANRAHAN has been a potential factor in the Rutland Land League and a 
delegate to all the national conventions. Has served as chairman of the 
Rutland County Democratic committee; has frequently been a member of the 
state committee; has been a delegate to the Democratic national conventions 
of 1884 and 1888 and chairman of the delegation in 1892; has always been a 
warm supporter of President CLEVELAND. Prominent in Grand Army of the 
Republic circles; member of the local post; has served on the staff of 
Commanders-in-chief Veazey, Palmer, and Weissert, and has been medical 
director of the Department of Vermont. Roman Catholic; workships with the 
congregation at St. Peter's in Rutland. On 12 February 1870 Dr. [John David] 
HANRAHAN married [first wife] Mary, daughter of Bernard and Elizabeth 
(HALPIN) RILEY, of Wallingford [Rutland County, Vermont]; she died in April 
1882. On 31 October 1883 he [Dr. John David HANRAHAN] was married to [second 
wife] Frances, daughter of John C. and Mary (HUGHES) KEENAN, of Rutland. 
Five children have resulted from their union: May, Anna, Hugh, Frances, and 
John.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly