Arthur Thomas Hannett (February 17, 1884 – March 18, 1966) was an American lawyer and politician who rose to become the

seventh Seventh is the ordinal form of the number seven. Seventh may refer to: * Seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution * A fraction (mathematics), , equal to one of seven equal parts Film and television *"The Seventh", a second-season epi ...

governor A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...

of New Mexico.

Biography

He was born on February 17, 1884, in Lyons, New York, the son of William Hannett and Mary McCarthy. After completing high school he entered

Syracuse University Syracuse University (informally 'Cuse or SU) is a Private university, private research university in Syracuse, New York. Established in 1870 with roots in the Methodist Episcopal Church, the university has been nonsectarian since 1920. Locate ...

, where he graduated in 1910. Hannett came to

Gallup, New Mexico Zuni: ''Kalabwaki'' , settlement_type = City , nickname = "Indian Capital of the World" , motto = , image_skyline = Gallup, New Mexico.jpg , imagesize = 250px , image_caption ...

, in 1911, where he began to practice law. His first public office was City Attorney and he also served as Mayor of Gallup for four years. Hannett married Louise Westfall, daughter of William and Estella Westfall, at

Clyde, New York Clyde is a village in Wayne County, New York, United States. The population was 2,093 at the 2010 census. It was named after the River Clyde, in Scotland, and the village sits on the Clyde River, a tributary of the Seneca River. The Village ...

, on August 13, 1913. He was an alternate delegate from

New Mexico ) , population_demonym = New Mexican ( es, Neomexicano, Neomejicano, Nuevo Mexicano) , seat = Santa Fe , LargestCity = Albuquerque , LargestMetro = Tiguex , OfficialLang = None , Languages = English, Spanish ( New Mexican), Navajo, Ker ...

to the

Democratic National Convention The Democratic National Convention (DNC) is a series of presidential nominating conventions held every four years since 1832 by the United States Democratic Party. They have been administered by the Democratic National Committee since the 1852 ...

Baltimore Baltimore ( , locally: or ) is the List of municipalities in Maryland, most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland, fourth most populous city in the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, and List of United States cities by popula ...

in 1912, and chairman of the New Mexico delegation at the Democratic National Convention at

San Francisco San Francisco (; Spanish language, Spanish for "Francis of Assisi, Saint Francis"), officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Northern California. The city proper is the List of Ca ...

in 1920. After serving as a member of the State Highway Commission from March 1923, until December 1924, Hannett was elected governor of New Mexico and served from January 1, 1925, until January 1, 1927. During his tenure

U.S. Route 66 U.S. Route 66 or U.S. Highway 66 (US 66 or Route 66) was one of the original highways in the United States Numbered Highway System. It was established on November 11, 1926, with road signs erected the following year. The h ...

was rerouted to avoid Santa Fe and instead passed through

Albuquerque, New Mexico Albuquerque ( ; ), ; kee, Arawageeki; tow, Vakêêke; zun, Alo:ke:k'ya; apj, Gołgéeki'yé. abbreviated ABQ, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Mexico. Its nicknames, The Duke City and Burque, both reference its founding in ...

. The rerouting saves drivers traveling across the state nearly four hours. Legend says Hannett did the rerouting to punish the Republican

Santa Fe Ring The Santa Fe Ring was a group of powerful attorneys and land speculators in the United States during the late 19th century and into the early 20th century. It amassed a fortune through political corruption and fraudulent land deals. Many prominen ...

which had controlled New Mexico politics in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.New Mexico Route 66, New Mexico mother road, old Route 66
/ref> He died on March 18, 1966, in

References

1884 births 1966 deaths Democratic Party governors of New Mexico Syracuse University alumni People from Lyons, New York People from Gallup, New Mexico Mayors of places in New Mexico 20th-century American politicians 20th-century American Episcopalians {{NewMexico-politician-stub