Santa Clara County
Biographies
JAMES A. HANNAY
JAMES A. HANNAY. The family represented in San Jose by
James A. Hannay, proprietor of the Hannay Nurseries, was established in America by his father,
also called James, who emigrated from his birthplace, Kirkcudbrightshire,
Scotland, when a young man. He first settled in Rhode Island, but in the early 50s
came to California by way of the Isthmus of Panama and located in San Jose. He
here learned the nursery business and in 1862 took up the work for himself,
setting out a nursery on the corner of McLaughlin avenue and McKee road. He
continued at this location until 1864, when he established the nursery which is
now conducted by his son. He remained successfully engaged in this work until
his death, in 1883, at the age of forty-three years. His wife, formerly
Mrs. McCouley Elgin, survives him and now
makes her home on the old place.
Of the four children born to his parents, all of whom are
living, James A. Hannay is the oldest and was born in
San Jose, Cal., October 12, 1873. Reared to manhood in this locality he
received his education in the public and high schools of this city, after
graduation from the latter taking up the work to which he had been trained from
boyhood. Ever since assuming charge of the nursery he has given it his
undivided attention, his excellent knowledge of the business, his good judgment
and practical methods bringing about very gratifying results. The nursery is
located on McLaughlin avenue, in East San Jose, and
consists of about eighteen acres devoted to the culture of fruit trees of all
varieties and general nursery stock. In personal characteristics Mr. Hannay possesses the traits which are his by inheritance
from his sturdy Scotch ancestry, and likewise those which are a result of his
American birth and training. He is numbered among the promising young business
men of the city and is highly esteemed for his genial social qualities. In his
political preferment he adheres to the principles advocated in the platform of
the Democratic party.
Transcribed by Marie Hassard 12 November 2015.
ญญญญSource: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Page
874. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
ฉ 2015 Marie
Hassard.