The Hanson Families of Jackson County, Minnesota

JONAS HANSON (1866), deceased, lived upon his farm on the south bank of Independence lake, on section 4, Belmont township, for forty-three years. He was born in Norway December 23, 1823, the son of Hans Ellingson and Anna (Asskerd) Ellingson.

Mr. Hanson resided in his native land until he was past thirty-two years of age. He came to America in 1856, arriving in the city of Chicago on the nation's birthday. He located in Hock county, Wisconsin, which was his home until his arrival to the wilds of Jackson county. Upon the breaking out of the civil war Mr. Hanson enlisted as a member of company I, of the 22nd Wisconsin volunteer infantry, and served until his discharge on July 9, 1865. During his army service he was injured in a train wreck in Virginia, and drew a pension on account of his injuries.

After his discharge from the army, Mr. Hanson spent one winter in his old home in Wisconsin. In June, 1866, he arrived in the county of Jackson and homesteaded the northwest quarter of section 4, Belmont township, where he resided until his death on December 15, 1909. He built a little cabin on Independence lake, in which he lived until he built the present house. He experienced all the vicissitudes of pioneer life and had many trials to contend with. In his younger years he took part in the local affairs of his precinct and served as a member of the board of supervisors.

Mr. Hanson was married in Jackson county in June, 1872, to Maret Larson, who was born on board ship off the Newfoundland banks while her parents were on the way to the new world from Norway. She died in October, 1907, aged 51 years* Fifteen children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hanson, of whom the following eight are living: Mary Ann, Hans T., Elesias, Mondus, Julius, Thore, Tina and Lena.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

OTTO HANSON (1871) is one of the very earliest settlers of Weimer township. He was born in Norway.Tune 12, 1842, the son of Hans (Ison and Marian Olson, both of whom died in their native land. Otto is the oldest child in a family of three boys and one girl, all living in the United States. The others are A. C. Hanson, of Mendora, Wisconsin; Matt Vaunebo, of Jlontana; Hannah Knudson, of Mendora, Wisconsin.

Until he was a young man Otto lived with his parents in his native land. He then took a ])position on a farm, where he was employed until he came to America at the age of twenty-seven years. He worked on a farm near LaCrosse, Wisconsin, two years and then, in 1871, came to.Jackson county. He took as a tree claim the southwest quarter of section 20, Wt-imer township, located on the place at once and began its improvement, erecting a little shack, 12x18 feet, in which he lived for several years. He has ever since resided on the place.

Mr. Hanson was married in LaCrosse county, Wisconsin, in December, 1870, to Annie Lornccn, also a native of Norway, Three children were born to this union: Peter, a machinist at Okabena; Aidker, a. Weimer township farmer; Hans, of Minneapolis, Mr. Hanson is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

PETER T. HANSON (1872) is the expert machinist and repair man employed by J. M. Johnson at Okabonn. According to the records, he is the second child born in Weimer township, the date of his birth being.Tune 22, 1872. He is the son of Otto and Annie (Lorncen) Hanson, natives of Norway, who were early settlers of Weimer township and who still live in that precinct.

Peter has always made his home in the county of his birth. He was brought up on the old homestead not far from the village of Heron Lake and he was educated in the public schools of that village. TTntil he was twenty-five years of age he lived on the farm with his parents. Then he married and located in Heron Lake, engaging in the shoe business in partnership with John Rafdal. He was a partner in the business until the spring of mon, but all his time was not taken up with his duties in the store. He was janitor of the Heron Lake sclionl building two years, was engineer on a steam dredge three years and was engineer of the Heron Iake brick yard one year.

Mr. Hanson sold Ids shoe business in May, UI09, having accepted a position the first of the year with the Western Implement company in its branch at Okabcna. He moved to Okabena and that lias since been his home. The brand at Okabena was bought by J. 'M..johnson in June. 1009, since which time Mr. TIanson has been in his employ. Mr. Hanson is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church and of the JL W. A. lodge.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

NELS HANSON (1891), Heron Lalce township farmer, was born in Sweden July 3, 1858, the eldest of a family of four children born to Jens and Elna (Nelson) Hanson, now deceased.

Until 1882, at the age of twenty-four years, Nels lived in his native land. He began working out at the age of ten years and followed several occupations. He came to the United States in 1882, lived one year in Connecticut, one year in Livingston county, Illinois, and seven years in Ford county, Illinois, during which time he worked as a farm hand and as an employe of tile factories. Mr. Hanson came to Jackson county in 1K91. He farmer a rented place in Heron Lake township two years, and then moved onto his own "farm, the west half of the southeast quarter of section 26, which he had bought before coming to the county. He has resided upon that farm ever since. In addition to the eighty acres he owns he farms rented land.

Mr. Hanson was married in Chicago, Illinois, October 5, 1887, to Matilda Bjork, who was born on March 28, 1803. The following four children have been born to this union: Ernest, a graduate of the Globe Business college of St. Paul, now a resident of St. Paul; Ledia (Mrs. Frank Palmer), of Lakefield; Annie, a high school student; Harry, residing at home. Mr. Hanson is a member of the A. 0. U. W. lodge.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.