James W. Hannigan Luna County, New Mexico

James W. Hannigan, a member of the firm of Hannigan & Tracy, who since 1889 have operated in Deming and whose opinions and labors have likewise been an influence in public affairs in this part of the Territory was born in California, April 17, 1856. He came to New Mexico in 1882, having previously, however, entered upon his business career as a bookkeeper in San Francisco for the firm of Carroll Brothers. Removing to New Mexico he settled at Lordsburg as a representative of the firm of Carroll Brothers, who were proprietors of stores and mines at that place and at Shakespeare. He acted as bookkeeper for a year and in 1883 came to Deming continuing in the employ of Carroll Brothers until 1885, when they closed down their mines. He was associated with J. H. Tracy in the management of the Carroll interests and since 1880 he and Mr. Tracy have been in business in Deming where they own two good business houses.

Mr. Hannigan has always been an earnest Republican, supporting the party since age gave to him the right of franchise. In 1904 he was elected to the Territorial legislature from the district comprising Luna. Grant, Dona Ana and Otero counties, and took an active part in the deliberations of that body, where he was regarded as an active working member. For the past four years he has been a member of the Republican county central committee and a delegate to the Territorial conventions. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Red Men.

His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rosella Chase, was a native of Indiana. Mr. Hannigan has through the improvement of opportunity and a ready recognition and utilization of advantages, worked his way steadily upward to a position of prominence in business circles, and at the same time has exercised strong and beneficial influence in public affairs.

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Source: History of New Mexico, Its Resources and People, Volume II, Pacific States Publishing Co., 1907.