Background
Hannum, John Berne was born on March 19, 1915 in Chester, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of John Berne and Helen (Weaver) Hannum.
Hannum, John Berne was born on March 19, 1915 in Chester, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of John Berne and Helen (Weaver) Hannum.
Graduate, Lawrenceville School, 1934. Student, Princeton University, 1937. Student, Franklin and Marshall College, 1938.
Bachelor of Laws, Dickinson School Law, 1941. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Widener University, 1976. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Lincoln University, 1978.
Doctor of Laws (honorary), Dickinson School Law, 1987.
Born in Chester, Pennsylvania, Hannum received an Bachelor of Laws from Dickinson School of Law in 1941. He was in private practice in Chester from 1941 to 1942, and was then a United States. Naval Reserve Lieutenant during World World War II, from 1942 to 1946, returning to private practice in Chester from 1946 to 1949. He was in private practice in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1949 to 1968.
He was then a judge on the Superior Court of Pennsylvania from 1968 to 1969.
On March 24, 1969, Hannum was nominated by President Richard Nixon to a seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania vacated by Francis L. Van Dusen. Hannum was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 5, 1969, and received his commission on May 6, 1969.
He assumed senior status on May 29, 1984. Hannum served in that capacity until his death, in Unionville, Pennsylvania.
A notable sentencing by Judge Hannum was that of George Martorano.
In 1984, Hannum sentenced Martorano to life in prison without parole after Martorano plead guilty to 19 counts of drug possession and distribution. As of 2014, he is the longest serving inmate for a non-violent offense at 31 years served thus far. The length of this sentence has led to criticism of Hannum"son despite Martorano"s many appeals, Hannum"s decision has been upheld in court.
Member commissary, past church advocate Episcopal Diocese Pennsylvania. Past member school board, chairman executive committee Unionville-Chadds Ford District, Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1947-1968. Member Electoral College, 1956.
Chairman Chester County (Pennsylvania) Republican Committee, 1962-1964. Member Pennsylvania Republican Executive Committee, 1962-1964. Delegate Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention, 1967-1968, Republican National Convention, 1960.
Trustee Dickinson School Law, Chester County Hospital, Widener University. Member regional panel White House Fellows. Served to lieutenant United States Navy, 1941-1945.
Member American Bar Association, Pennsylvania Bar Association, Justinian Society (honorary), State Society Cincinnati Pennsylvania (honorary), American Judicature Society. Club: Abraham Lincoln Association (board directors 1987). Lodge: Masons.
Married Nancy Penn Smith, December 21, 1940. Children: John Berne, Richard P.S., Carol A. (Mistress Bruce O. Davidson).