Hannah was half of the 1920's vaudeville singing and dancing act, "The Williams Sisters," with her sister Dorothy Williams. She was known for the song "Cheerful Little Earful," which she performed in the 1930 Broadway show "Sweet and Low." She also appeared in the 1933 Melody Master short film "The Audition," where she sang "Get Happy." She was married to bandleader Roger Wolfe Kahn from 1931-1933, heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey from 1933-1943, and actor/nightclub comedian Thomas J. Monaghan from 1950-1951.
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The Los Angeles Times, January 13, 1973:

WILLIAMS, Hannah A., beloved mother of Joan Bray and Barbara McMillan, sister of Mrs. Dorothy Gomez; also survived by 7 grandchildren.

Service 10:30 a.m. Monday, at the Church of the Hills. Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills.

Forest Lawn Mortuary
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The Scranton Tribune, March 25, 1953:

BEDCLOTHING TAKES FIRE

Hannah Williams Is Burned In Los Angeles Home Blaze

Hannah Williams, a native of Taylor who rose to fame and a series of matrimonial engagements, including one with Jack Dempsey, ex-heavyweight fighter, was painfully burned yesterday in her Los Angeles home.

She was taken to a receiving hospital where doctors said the burns which covered her face, arms and hands were not serious.

Authorities said the fire started in her bedroom, probably from a cigarette in the bedclothing.

The former Miss Williams, daughter of Thomas E. and Martha Hughes Williams, lived in Scranton and got her start with her sister, Dorothy, singing in vaudeville and with Paul Whitman. Later Hannah married Band Leader Charles Kaley, but the marriage was annulled in Chicago in 1927.

In 1931 she married Roger Wolfe Kahn, famous orchestra leader, while she was starring in "Sweet and Low," singing a popular tune called "Cheerful Little Earful."

Her marriage to Khan was annulled in 1932 and a year later she married Dempsey. They had two daughters, Joan and Barbara. The Dempseys divorced in 1943.

Still later she married Thomas J. Monaghan, a night club comedian, but divorced him after a year of marriage.

The former Miss Williams is 42 years old.
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The Los Angeles Times, March 23, 1950:

Ex-Wife of Demspey Bride for Third Time

Hannah Williams, 37, former wife of Jack Dempsey, the one-time No. 1 man of world boxing, yesterday became a bride for the third time.

She and Thomas (Tommy) Monaghan, 28, night club comedian, were united in marriage at a ceremony performed by Superior Judge Thurmond Clarke in his courtroom.

The ceremony was attended by Miss Williams' younger daughter, Barbara Dempsey, 13. Her older daughter, Joan Dempsey, was unable to be present because of school duties.

Miss Williams, formerly a comedienne and singer in musical comedy, first met Monaghan in 1943 while both were engaged in Army camp shows. She and Dempsey were divorced a year earlier.

Prior to her marriage to Dempsey she was the wife of Roger Wolfe Kahn, musical director and son of the late New York banker, Otto Kahn.
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The Scranton Tribune, May 20, 1947:

Snapshots of Hollywood Collected at Random:

Hannah Williams, Jack Dempsey's ex, was offered a job as vocalist with Tommy Dorsey's band, but at the last minute she backed out because she wanted to remain in New York. Meanwhile, the girl who is occupying Jack's attention now is Pauline Betz, tennis champ. They are still talking over a tennis deal, among other things.
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The Scranton Tribune, December 27, 1946:

Dempsey Is Off to Hollywood For Reunion With Li'l Earful

By LOUELLA O. PARSONS
Motion Picture Editor, INS
Copyright INS
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 26 (INS). - I guess it must be the holiday spirit that prompted Jack Dempsey and Hannah Williams to decide to reconcile.

I hear, on excellent authority, the former musical comedy favorite and the former heavyweight champion of the world have decided to let bygones be bygones.

No two people were ever so violent in their accusations against each other and never was there a divorce case so widely publicized and so filled with bitter charges.

Jack left New York Christmas Day and is on his way to Hollywood by motor, and Hannah and the two children left today by train. They'll all meet in Hollywood where the reconciliation will take place.

Jack has been in bad health and has been considering an operation for some time. The friend in New York who gave me the story believes that because of his illness Jack decided to return to the mother of his two children.

The custody of the two girls, Joan and Barbara, was awarded to their father and he has been very devoted to them.

Nearly everyone - and I admit I was one of them - thought Jack would reconcile with Estelle Taylor, his first wife. He and Estelle used to be seen together very often in the company of the two little girls.

After Jack left the Navy, where he served during the war as a lieutenant-commander, he and his daughters lived in the house occupied by himself and Estelle when they were married.
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The Scranton Tribune, August 18, 1943:

Hannah Will Appeal Dempsey Divorce Decree

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Aug. 17 (AP) - Hannah Williams Dempsey file in Supreme Court today a notice of intention to appeal from the interlocutory divorce decree obtained by her former husband, Lieut.-Comdr. Jack Dempsey. The decree, awarded to the former heavyweight boxing champion on July 7, would have become final Oct. 16.
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The Scranton Tribune, July 17 1943:

Dempsey Granted Okay to Remarry, Hannah Refused

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., July 16 (AP) - Hannah Williams Dempsey's 31st birthday was marked today by the filing of an interlocutory divorce decree expressly permitting her former husband, Lt. Comdr. Jack Dempsey, to remarry and prohibiting her from marrying again without court permission.

The decree, filed in the Westchester county clerk's office, will become final on Oct. 16. It contained no provisions for alimony nor for the custody of their two daughters. The former heavyweight boxing champion was awarded complete custody of the girls yesterday.

The remarriage proviso is one usually included in interlocutory decrees of divorce in New York State. Dempsey was awarded the decree on July 7 when the court referee found that Dempsey's charge of his wife's infidelity had been "proved beyond doubt."

Mrs. Dempsey, former musical star, spent her birthday with her daughters, Joan, 8, and Barbara, 6, with whom the court gave her "reasonable rights of visitation." She has announced that she will appeal the custody decision.
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The Scranton Tribune, July 8, 1943:

Dempsey Granted Divorce From Hannah Williams

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., July 7 (AP) - Former heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey won today a referee's decision in his marital battle with the former Hannah Williams, one-time singing star of Broadway musical comedy.

Official Referee J. Addison Young of the state supreme court awarded Dempsey, now a lieutenant commander in the Coast Guard, a decree of divorce, ruling that "the charge of the defendant's infidelity alleged in the amended complaint as occurring Nov. 22, 1942, at Los Angeles, was proven beyond doubt."

He referred to Dempsey's allegation that his wife had been intimate with Benny Woodall, trainer of prizefighters, in a West Coast bungalow.

As far as it went, the 70-word decision was a sweeping victory for Dempsey. Young dismissed Mrs. Dempsey's counter-claim for a separation.

Among the questions left to be determined was the custody of the two Dempsey children, Barbra, 6, and Joan, 8. They are living in their father's Scarsdale, N.Y., home.
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The Scranton Tribune, June 11, 1943:

Tearful Hannah Says Dempsey Slapped Her, Called Her Bum

Threw Her Into Clothes Closet, Threatened Her With Gun, Former Scranton Girl Declares

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., June 10 (AP) - Hannah Williams Dempsey burst into tears on the witness stand today when she told how her husband, Jack, former heavyweight champion, slapped her, called her a bum, threw her into a clothes closet and threatened her with a gun.

Although the former musical comedy and night club singer was not sure about the dates when Jack had beaten her, she repeated the conversation of their quarrels at length for Referee J. Addison Young in the divorce suit brought by Dempsey and her counter and separation suits which are being tried simultaneously.

Dempsey, according to Hannah, came home only just about long enough to start a row with her during the 10 years of their married life. He mauled her on four occasions, she said. She characterized them as the "Mother
s Day Incident," the "Valentine's Day Incident," the "Gun Incident," and the "Scarsdale Incident."

While telling of the Scarsdale incident, which occurred during one of the couple's reconciliations, Hannah began to cry and Referee Young adjourned trial until tomorrow.

"Did Mr. Dempsey ever strike you?" Gerald Donovan, Mrs. Dempsey's lawyer asked her.

"Yes, he pushed me around, slapped me and threw me around a little bit on Mother's Day before we separated in May, 1940," she said.

The Scarsdale incident arose over firing a French maid, Mrs. Dempsey said. She wanted the maid fired and then Jack would not dismiss her, she said, she spent the night with Dorothy.

"When I came home Jack raved and ranted and threw me across our big double bed," she said. "He called me a lot of bad names and said he would kick me downstairs."

This tender recollection produced Hannah's tears.

Woodall in a long cross-examination, denied he was having an affair with Hannah in 1940 when he went with her on a two-day trip to Scranton, Pa.; he said he was just "standing in a doorway reading a newspaper when Hannah drove by in her car,"

Woodall testified that he went to Scranton with Hannah, who was supposed to have a reconciliation date with Jack on Dec. 31, 1940, as a "special favor to a very dear friend."
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The Scranton Tribune, June 4, 1943:

Dempsey Arrives, Benny Flees, Witness Declares

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., June 3 (AP) - A private detective testified today that he, Jack Dempsey and two other detectives raided Mrs. Jack Dempsey's Los Angeles apartment and found her in bed and Benny Woodall, named as a co-respondent, running from the room.

Ned H. Peterson, the detective from Los Angeles, told the Supreme Court referee in Dempsey's divorce action against his wife, the former songstress Hannah Williams, that when first seen by the raiders before midnight last Nov. 22, Woodall was barefoot, had on trousers and an undershirt and was trying "to put on what looked like a lady's fur coat."

The former heavyweight champion has charged his wife with misconduct with former lightweight champion Lew Jenkins and with Woodall, Jenkins' former trainer. Mrs. Dempsey has filed a countersuit but her allegations have not been made public. Adultery is the only ground for divorce in New York state.

As the hearing started its fourth day, Mrs. Dempsey's attorney tossed a barrage of legal objections to placing into the records a deposition from Mrs. Lyda Hallen, manager of a Los Angeles apartment house, but the deposition was read.

Mrs. Hallen said Mrs. Dempsey, another woman, Woodall and his sister, Mrs. Jackie Griffin, were together and intoxicated in Mrs. Griffin's apartment sometime in November, 1942.

Describing the raid on Mrs. Dempsey's apartment, Peterson said Woodall ran into the living room where Dempsey was, and when he (Peterson) went into the bedroom, Mrs. Dempsey question: "What's this all about?"

Peterson said he replied "you'll find out" and then he said he heard Dempsey call "Woodall is on my back."

"Dempsey threw Woodall over his back and onto the couch and Woodall started kicking and throwing his feet and arms around. I pushed Dempsey away and told him not to hit him. Related Peterson:

"Then we came into the bedroom and Benny Woodall sat on the bed and then Mrs. Dempsey said "oh my darling Benny, what have they done to you?"

"What did Mr. Dempsey say," asked Arthur F. Driscoll, Dempsey's attorney.

"He said - and I'm quoting him - 'You rat. You've broken up my home once before. I found you together. I'm through. You keep her. You look after her'."
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The Scranton Tribune, May 31, 1943:

Hannah Williams, Sister Favorite Performers When G.A.R. Veterans Visited Taylor Schools

Critic Recalls Two Charming Girls With Lovely, Clear Voices

By Dr. D. E. Jones
Hannah Williams Dempsey is again in the headlines. She has occupied that position on several occasions, first as a favorite in the amateur night performances at the old Poli Theater, now the Comerford Theater, this city, then as a top-notch singer in musical comedies in New York where she thrilled thousands with her singing of "Cheerful Little Earful." Followed her marriage to Roger Wolfe Kahn, wealthy leader of jazz bands, from whom she later was divorced; her marriage to the champion prizefighter, Jack Dempsey, and now the sensational suit in White Plains, N.Y., where the ex-pugilist is asking for a divorce.

Hannah and her sister, Dorothy, first came to my notice when they were child students at Washington School, Taylor Borough. Their teachers were Miss Gertrude Morris and Mrs. Edith V. James.

SANG IN SCHOOLS
The G.A.R. veterans visited the borough schools annually and in a large force in those days, and the schools prepared musical and other programs for their reception. During these visits Hannah and Dorothy were favorite performers, singing simple school songs, and frequently easy church hymns for the entertainment of the veterans. Only one of their songs comes to memory, "Bobolink Swinging on the Bough, Listen Awhile to Me," and this they sang with charming innocence and lovely, clear voices.

Many years later, I attended a New York theater where Hannah was captivating large audiences, and was taken back stage by Jack Davis, Scranton's insurance man, and Mike McNally, baseball manager. They asked Hannah if she remembered me and she sang in answer, "Do, ti, la, so."

WED FINANCIER'S SON
She then married Roger Kahn, scion of the great financial house of Kahn, but the marriage was a failure. Roger was a youth bitten by the jazz insect, and despite the threats and entreaties of his father, he organized a band of his own and began touring the country. His success was short lived pater Kahn objected to the marriage, and an early divorce was obtained. Roger went home, a prodigal, and Hannah scored and scored heavily on the comedy stage.

Dempsey, shortly after his divorce from Estelle Taylor, made love to and married Hannah. Two lovely daughters came of this marriage. A few weeks ago when Hannah's grandmother, Mrs. Thomas Williams, died in Taylor, a very beautiful casket bouquet came from the two great-granddaughters.

Hannah's Taylor friends, a few of them, think that "her head had been turned" by the Broadway glamour. Others believe that she would have had greater success had she continued to sing, and that alone. But all are agreed that "she was a sweet, human little creature who would now welcome a return to the simpler life."
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The Scranton Tribune, November 14, 1937:

Hannah Williams Is Fed Up With Singing Those Ballads

So - Unless Ed Wynn's Musical Is Changed, Mrs. Jack Dempsey Won't Be There Long

Special to The Tribune
NEW YORK, Nov. 13. - If there are swing tunes for her, petite, vivacious Hannah Williams of musical comedy fame will stay in the show, her husband, Jack Dempsey, told The Scranton Tribune tonight.

But if "Hooray for What" still cling to its ballads, the former Scranton girl will leave the Ed Wynn musical at the end of its run in Philadelphia, next week.

There's one song that she sings which suits her particular telents - "The Shade of the New Apple Tree." But two others are not the snappy, catchy tunes that Broadway loves to hear her warble, said the former heavyweight champion of the world.

These are "Buds Won't Bud" and "Romance."

And, so far as the lure of her home life and her two little girls is concerned, Hannah is "pretty homesick," he added.

She is only in Boston tonight with the show, but she has been separated from her husband and their two little girls, Joan and Barbara, for two weeks.

"She calls up three and four times a day, and talks to all of us, including the baby," said Jack.

The "baby" is Barbara, 15 months, old. Her vocabulary, at present, is limited to "Mommy" and "Daddy," plus a few of those sounds which only parents can understand.

Officially, Hannah has not left the Ed Wynn show which brought about her return to the stage, but she gave two seeks' notice last Saturday, and this will become effective next Saturday night unless the Shubert office changes her songs.

Joan, the older, is now three years and three months old. She says very definitely that she thinks her mother ought to be back home - and Hannah will be tomorrow, when she stops off for the day en route to Philadelphia.

Joan, the older, is now three brown eyes and features resembling Jack. Barbara looks like her mother to just as marked a degree.
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The Daily News, July 20, 1933:

Dempsey Gives Round-by-Round Account of Love

Calneva, Nev., July 19 (U.P.). - Jack Dempsey revealed here today that his marriage to Hannah Williams, Broadway musical comedy star, yesterday was the outcome of a nine-year friendship.

The former heavyweight champion said he first met his bride when she was "just a little girl" in George White's "Scandals." Later he renewed the friendship when she was with the Ziegfeld "Follies."

"I saw her in Reno last February, but didn't think our friendship would develop into love," he said. At that time, Miss Williams was reported engaged to Russ Colombo, radio crooner.

"I guess it was while I was arranging the Baer-Schmeling fight in New York that it finally dawned on me I really loved the little girl," he said.

Dempsey and his bride motored to Elko, Nev. They will drive to Los Angeles, where Dempsey will attempt to promote a fight for Max Baer.

The new Mrs. Dempsey said she is "all through with the stage, and will concentrate on being a good wife" to her 38-year-old third husband.

Hannah Williams's Sister Secretly Wed on July 6.

The impulse to do things, like getting married or divorced, runs in the family with those Williams sisters, Hannah and Dorothy. Yesterday it leaked out that Dorothy, divorced in April a day after Hannah, had married H. Irving Polstein, 27, New York contractor, on July 6, in Greenwich, Conn.

Justice of the Peace Joseph O'Brien performed the ceremony, which the couple made every effort to keep secret. Dorothy, 23, received her decree in Reno, her first husband having been Jimmie McPartland, horn tooter in Russ Colombo's orchestra. Hannah, the original Cheerful Little Earful girl, was married in Nevada on Tuesday to Jack Dempsey, after being divorced form Roger Wolfe Kahn.
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The Daily News, March 28, 1933:

Columbo and Kahn's Wife Pals on Reno Altar Path

Reno, Nev., March 27 (AP). - Arrival here of Russ Columbo, dance band leader and crooner, has swerved to link further his name romantically with that of Hannah Williams, Broadway musical comedy favorite who is here to divorce Roger Wolfe Kahn, son of Otto Kahn, the banker.

Columbo and Miss Williams have been seen together almost constantly since his arrival. Neither would confirm today, however, reports they intend to marry if, as she expects, she obtains her divorce next week.

Miss Williams came to Reno Feb. 19 and will be eligible to file suit next Saturday.
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The Daily News, February 21, 1933:

Hannah Williams in Reno to Divorce Son of Kahn

Reno, Nev., Feb. 20. - Hannah Williams, Broadway musical comedy actress, and her sister, Dorothy, arrived here today to establish residence so Hannah can divorce roger Wolfe Kahn, son of Otto H. Kahn, New York financier.

Dorothy, who is married to Jimmy McPartland, a "hot" trumpet player in a jazz band, denied she, too, would seek a divorce, saying she had come along merely to accompany Mrs. Kahn.

Cruelty is Charge.
All financial details of their parting were arranged before she left New York, young Kahn's estranged mate told Attorney George Springmeyer, instructing him to draw up papers, citing cruelty as the basis for her divorce.
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The Brooklyn Daily Times, February 9, 1931:

Kahn, Jazz Impresario and Son Of Banker, Weds Stage Singer

Hannah Williams, Late of "Sweet and Low," Bride of Youth Who Renounced Finance for Music.

Following his own inclinations to "live his own life," which he adopted several years ago by throwing up an opportunity to enter the banking business with his father so he might make a name for himself in the jazz musical world, Roger Wolfe Kahn, 23, selected his bride from the same jazz musical world.

On Jan. 26, it was learned yesterday, Mr. Kahn, son of Otto H. Kahn, internationally-known banker, was married to Hannah Williams, 20, musical comedy actress and dancer, at the Kahn summer estate at Woodbury, L.I., by a justice of the peace. The only witnesses were his mother, Mrs. Addie W. Kahn, and his brother, Gilbert.

In a statement given out last night at the home on Fifth ave., Manhattan, young Kahn and his bride were reported to be on an extended wedding trip. It was added the boy's father was unable to attend the ceremony because he was suffering from influenza.

Bride Leaves Stage
Mrs. Roger Kahn is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Williams, of Taylor, Pa., and she retired Saturday night from the musical comedy "Sweet and Low," in which she had been singing a number of hits. It is understood she retired at the suggestion of her father-in-law. Her place will be filled by her sister.

Mr. Kahn and Miss Williams met several years ago, when she was singing and dancing in a Manhattan cabaret, in which Mr. Kahn's orchestra was appearing. There had been reports current for several weeks she was to marry young Kahn.

Miss Williams referred all her questioners to the Kahn family, and the Kahn family continued to say nothing.

Before she was 17, about the time it was expected he would start training to follow in the footsteps of his father, Roger Kahn turned to music. He organized a jazz orchestra and convinced his father he would make a success in his chosen field. He composed several numbers which showed promise, and soon he had half a dozen orchestras playing under his name.

He became a master of the violin, clarinet, banjo, saxophone and other instruments, and was admitted as a member of the American Federation of Musicians.

Previous Marriage Annulled
Miss Williams, in the application for her marriage license, reported she had been married, but had not lived with her husband, the marriage having been annulled within a few days in Chicago.

The statement issued at the Kahn home read:

"Mr. and Mrs. Otto H. Kahn state that their son, Roger W. Kahn, and Miss Hannah Williams were married today on Monday, Jan. 26, at Huntington, L.I., by Judge John Deans of Huntington. The witnesses were Mrs. Otto H. Kahn, mother of the bridegroom, and Gilbert W. Kahn, his elder brother.

"Mr. Otto H. Kahn was unable to be present owing to an attack of influenza.

"Miss Williams has retired from the stage and the young couple have left for an extended wedding trip."

Yesterday young Kahn and his bride visited Roosevelt Field and his big plane, a Bellanca, was looked over and the instruments adjusted. He has several planes and a landing field at the Woodbury estate. It is expected part of the honeymoon trip will be made by airplane.
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The Scranton Tribune, August 17, 1925:

Another great big attraction for the three days, and one in which the people of this city will take a special interest, is the Williams Sisters, local girls, Dorothy and Hannah. They did their first stage work in this city. Not long ago they first took part in many of the local theatrical entertainments sponsored by the Elks, the Y.M.H.A., the Kiwanis club and other organizations.

The Williams Sisters will come back to Scranton reinforced by the splendid experience they gained in a very successful season with George White's Scandals, in which they had a prominent part for fourteen months and were the life of last season's edition.

Ashton Stevens, the famous Chicago dramatic critic, said about the girls when the Scandals played in this city recently: "Consternation and confusion struck the stage of the Selwyn Theater when the word was received that Winnie Lightner was too ill to appear. But the show was somehow saved. Little Hannah Williams saved it. Hannah was Miss Lightner's understudy, and her chance had come. To a packed house she demonstrated her ability to get away with it in no uncertain manner. From what we understand a new star was made over this episode."

The many Scranton admirers of these girls, who always thought that in time they would go far, will be delighted to hear of their great success and of their announced appearance in Scranton. It suffices to say that Mrs. Williams, the mother of the girls, holds in her possession a five-year contract with Georg White for their exclusive appearance, and many offers from other musical comedy producers on Broadway.
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The Brooklyn Daily Times, July 14, 1922:

GOOD BILL AT THE POLI

The feature of the present Poli bill that makes the strongest appeal to Scranton patrons is the new act of the dainty little Williams Sisters, Hannah and Dorothy, who have second position in the order of appearance.

The sisters have a longer and more ambitious act than any they have hitherto essayed and yesterday they were given a very warm reception that manifestly delighted them greatly. They also have added materially to their wardrobe and had a change of costume for every song number. They appeared together and singly and each new offering was greeted with thunders of applause. The man in the Neff and Rankin act said in view of the applause that greeted the Williams sisters he was sorry that he was not born in Scranton. If it ever happens over again he will be, he said, and then everybody howled in laughing approval. The sisters are certainly improving as public entertainers and in a short while big time will be seeking their services.
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The Pittston Gazette, February 7, 1922:

Famous Williams Sisters Appear at Elks Home Tonight

Tonight at the Pittston Elks there will appear the famous Williams Sisters, who have become famous both locally and abroad as entertainers.

The Sisters will perform in conjunction with the Peerless Novelty Orchestra, both being secured through the efforts of the Raven Klub.

A short time ago the Williams Sisters appeared at the Winter Garden in New York, with Al Jolson, and a few nights later with Paul Whiteman and his orchestra at Palais Royal, and on both occasions their singing and dancing was the cause of much favorable comment, and many offers to go on the Vaudeville Stage, where were refused because of the young age of these two talented stars.
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The Scranton Tribune, June 10, 1920:

Dorothy and Hannah Williams, daughters of Mrs. Gwen Williams, usher at the Poli theatre, who have made an enviable reputation as child entertainers are to be the chief attractions at a recital in Casino Hall this evening. Although under ten years of age, these girls are both clever singers and dancers who are sure to make names for themselves in future years.