Frank Hanly graduated from Eastern Illinois Normal School in 1879 and began his career as a teacher in state public schools. He practiced law after being admitted to the bar in 1889 and was involved in Republican politics, encouraged by Judge Joseph M. Rabb. Hanly's professional background includes a notable commitment to education and legal practice, establishing a foundation of experience in public service and the law.

Frank Hanly's political identity is marked by a unique blend of temperance advocacy and educational dedication, revealing an ideological rigor that prioritizes moral rectitude over pragmatic compromise. His anti-liquor crusade, which tragically ended his life, underscores a deeply principled stance that often places moral imperatives above political expediency. Hanly's early career as a teacher further illustrates a commitment to public service rooted in the foundational importance of education. This juxtaposition of moral advocacy with a career in teaching suggests a strategic philosophy that is both ideologically driven and community-focused, raising questions about how he balanced these seemingly disparate commitments.