His schooling was limited and was basically self-educated. He became an engineer, he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1818, practicing first in Orwigsburg and later Pottsville. When the war of 1812 broke out he entered the 1st Regiment of Pennsylvania or "the Washington Blues," serving as a private. When the Civil War broke out he attempted to re-enlist at the age of 65. He assisted in the care of the families of those left behind and contributed money to the relief of the soldiers and their widows. In 1852 he built his beautiful mansion, "the Cloud Home." The plans were furnished by his wife Sarah Ridgeway. He donated the tract of land for the Henry Clay Monument. John Bannan was the defense attorney for Jimmy Riggs, the first person sentenced to death in Schuylkill County. Riggs was convicted of killing an Irishman. Bannan considered the provocation that led up to the killing very great and frequently was heard that the conviction was based on racism as Riggs was a black man.
buried 5-6-1868
buried 5-6-1868
His schooling was limited and was basically self-educated. He became an engineer, he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1818, practicing first in Orwigsburg and later Pottsville. When the war of 1812 broke out he entered the 1st Regiment of Pennsylvania or "the Washington Blues," serving as a private. When the Civil War broke out he attempted to re-enlist at the age of 65. He assisted in the care of the families of those left behind and contributed money to the relief of the soldiers and their widows. In 1852 he built his beautiful mansion, "the Cloud Home." The plans were furnished by his wife Sarah Ridgeway. He donated the tract of land for the Henry Clay Monument. John Bannan was the defense attorney for Jimmy Riggs, the first person sentenced to death in Schuylkill County. Riggs was convicted of killing an Irishman. Bannan considered the provocation that led up to the killing very great and frequently was heard that the conviction was based on racism as Riggs was a black man.
buried 5-6-1868
buried 5-6-1868
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