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In 1861, James Hanley was an
established wholesale dealer, importing,
wholesaling, and distributing foreign and domestic
liquors of all types as well as wines, whiskeys,
and cigars. He began dealing in liquors at 131
North Main Street, Providence, RI in 1862. This
address was also his home. James retained his
brother, Thomas J., as clerk at the
time.
After moving to various
locations throughout Providence and becoming an
agent for various beer and ale manufacturers, James
joined his brother Thomas who had opened his own
liquor store at 193 High Street. The union of the
two brothers resulted in the formation of the James
Hanley & Bro. Company in 1870. Nine years later
the two brothers were still together, located at
341 High Street.
Around 1877, James became proprietor with
John P. Cooney, forming the short lived Cooney & Hanley
Brewers. They took over the Merchants Brewery which was located
at 87 East Avenue in Pawtucket. In 1879, Cooney died tragically
at the age of 41 and his share in the business was liquidated.
Indications are that Hanley purchased Cooney's part of the brewery
and then changed the name to James Hanley & Co. The name
of the brewery was also changed from Merchants to the Silver
Spring Brewery. During this time, James and Thomas were still
operating the liquor store in Providence.
By 1884, Hanley was located
at 32 Exchange Place, importing and exporting
wines, liquors, etc., and had become involved with
many different breweries.
The Silver Spring Brewery was
moved to the corner of Jackson and Fountain Streets
in Providence in 1886. The firm was putting out
India Ale, Stock, and XXX Ales. Hanley's liquor
store, James Hanley & Co., having dropped the
Bro., had moved one door from 32 to 30 Exchange
place.
Sometime between 1890-94,
Silver Spring was changed in name to the Rhode
Island Brewery, but was still located at Jackson
& Fountain with James listed as president and
treasurer.
In 1894 James evidently left
to join with John E. Goode to form the American
Brewing Co. Hanley was listed as president and
Goode as treasurer. This company was located at the
corner of Eagle Street and Harris
Avenue.
Circa 1886, Hanley became
general manager of the James Hanley Brewing Co.,
corner of Jackson and Fountain Streets, formerly
the Rhode Island Brewery. He later became president
with James A. Bashford as secretary. The company
became noted for its Peerless Ales &
Porters.
The liquor store which had
remained in business throughout this time was moved
to 54 Exchange street in 1898 under the new name of
Hanley, Hoye, & Co. They became agents for the
celebrated J. H. Cutter Whiskeys.
By 1907, Hanley was still
going strong having become president of the
Providence Brewing Company, formerly the American
Brewing Co. The address for this brewery was the
corner of Harris and Eagle Streets with John T.
Maguire listed as vice president and Gustave F.
Mensing as treasurer and secretary. The company was
putting out lager, ale, and porter
beers.
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