Edward Allen "Ned" Hannegan (June 25, 1807February 25, 1859) was an American lawyer and politician from Indiana, serving two terms as a United States representative from 1833 to 1837, and one term as a U.S. Senator from 1843 to 1849. Early life and education Born in Hamilton County, Ohio, he moved with his parents to Bourbon County, Kentucky, the same year. He attended the public schools, studied law at Transylvania University, taught school, and worked as a farm hand. Hannegan moved to Fountain County, Indiana, about 1825 where he worked as a farm hand and as a school teacher. He was admitted to the bar in April 1828 in Fountain County. Moving the following year, he was admitted to practice law in Warren County, Indiana, on May 27, 1829, settling in Williamsport. A few months later, he moved to Covington, where he continued the practice of law. At some unknown time, Hannegan became a Freemason. On April 4, 1829, he married Margaret Chambers Duncan in Knox County, Indiana; they had one son, Sellman Key Hannegan, born January 20, 1832. Politics and foreign service Hannegan was a member of the Indiana House of Representatives 1832–1833 and 1841–1842. He was elected as a Democrat to the Twenty-third and Twenty-fourth Congresses, serving from March 4, 1833 – March 4, 1837. Hannegan was not a candidate for renomination in 1836 and resumed the practice of law; he was elected as a Democrat to the U.S. Senate in 1842 and served from March 4, 1843, to March 4, 1849. He was an unsuccessful candidate for renomination in 1849, losing to Governor James Whitcomb. While in the Senate, he was chairman of the Committee on Private Land Claims (Twenty-ninth Congress) and a member of the Committee on Roads and Canals (Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth Congresses) and the Committee on Foreign Relations (Thirtieth Congress). He was appointed by President James K. Polk United States Minister to Prussia March 29, 1849, and served 1849–1850. The Queen consort of King Frederick William IV became infatuated with Hannegan. During a court function, Hannegan broke custom and kissed the hand of the queen. Irate and possibly jealous, King Frederick Wilhelm IV requested that Hannegan be recalled. Upon his return to the United States, Hannegan resumed his law practice in Covington. Military service On August 5, 1838, Hannegan received a commission as a colonel in the Indiana militia. He was stationed at Fort