Hans C. Hanson

As printed in 1916

HANS C. HANSON.

Prom the roll of public-spirited citizens, whose unselfish interests have done great things for the development of the county and for their more immediate vicinities, the name of Hans C. Hanson, of New York Mills, Minnesota, stands out conspicuously as one who, perhaps has done greater service for the public improvement of his home town and for the promotion of the business activities of his locality than any other of these desirable and valued citizens. A man of varied experience in life, one with broad knowledge of the activities of the business world, and a citizen who as a promoter and as an organizer has proved himself as one of unusual ability, this review of Otter Tail county would not be complete without reference to the work and achievements of this worthy citizen.

Hans C. Hanson was born in Denmark on the island of Fynn, on April 1, 1859, the son of Rasmus and Alary Hanson, who were likewise natives of Denmark. Rasmus Hanson is well known in his community for his record as a soldier in the war with Germany, when he received a medal for an act of bravery in cutting chains which were blockading the war area to the ships of his country. In private life, Rasmus Hanson was a farmer and land owner of Denmark, and both he and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. To the marriage of Rasmus and Alary Hanson were born three children: Hans, the subject of this sketch; Mary, who married Andrew Hanson, and lives at Orlando, Louisiana, and Anne, who is married and lives mi the island of Langeland. in Denmark.

Hans ('. Hanson was educated in the public schools of his native land. where he attended classes until fifteen years of age and then he engaged in general farming, until the year 1880. when, being twenty-one years of age, he sailed for \111erica and landed at Xew York City, on his birthday, and immediately Following he went to Rochester. Minnesota, where he worked on a farm for one summer and then took up work for an elevator company, at the same time attending night school under the direction of a friend, who is now a resident of Fergus Falls, Minnesota. After two years Hans C. I [anson engaged in work at the Rochester Iron Works, where he was employed for five years, and then resigned to accept a place on the police Force "t Rochester, under Chief of Police Capp. In the year r88q Mr. Hanson came to Otter Tail county, Minnesota, and bought fort acres of land in section

II, of Homestead township, land which was unbroken railroad territory. Hans C. Hanson proceeded to clear and to improve this land, and from time to time increased his holdings by the purchase of additional land until he owned two hundred and forty acres. On this place Hans C. Hanson lived until a decade ago, at the time of leaving he having one of the best improved and most completely equipped farms of the community.

During his residence on his farm, Hans C. Hanson, for two years, was driver of the United States mail on the star route, after which he moved to the town of New York Mills and rented an old hotel, which he managed in connection with his duties as a mail carrier, until one Easter morning when the hotel burned. Mr. Hanson then rented a nearby house, where he continued in the hotel business, and in 1906 he erected a new hotel building which was known as "The Merchant's Hotel,'' a building which was equipped with twenty rooms, all of which were supplied with hot and cold running water and steam heat. Hans C. Hanson conducted this hotel until the vear [913, when he retired from this business for two years and then, during 1915, he returned to the management of his former place of business.

At the time of the double tracking of the Northern Pacific railway through the locality, Hans C. Hanson was given charge of a special company of men employed at construction work and for one season followed this work and then during the next year he went to the state of Montana, where he was engaged in the work of laying the steel rails between the towns of Armington and of Billings, after which Mr. Hanson returned to New York Mills, being called home on account of illness in his family. At this time Hans C. Hanson became a grain buyer for the Andrews Grain Company, a position in which he is now engaged.

Hans C. Hanson has taken an important part in the public life and in the public affairs of New York Mills. For six years Mr. Hanson served on the town council and during that time it was largely clue to his personal efforts that the streets of the town were graded, that cement sidewalks were built, and that the central park of the town was arranged for and largely completed — this without cost to the community — the funds being collected l>\ public subscription and by donation. Hans C. Hanson was the organizer of the local Commercial Club, an organization of thirty-six members, of which Mr. Hanson is now serving as president. During the year 1914 Hans C Hanson was an active candidate for a seat in the state Legislature, but was defeated at the election.

Hans C. Hanson was married on September 0. t88i. to Charlotte Carlson, who was born at Stockholm, Sweden, the daughter of Carl Carlson and wife, who were natives of Sweden, and of whom the father came to America, his daughter, Charlotte, coming to join her father during the year 1880.

To the marriage of Hans and Charlotte Hanson were born the following children: Carl Oscar, who is a railroad man of Duluth, Minnesota; Adla, who married William Ash and later died of tuberculosis; Alma, who married Seblon Olson and lives at New York Mills; Abby, who is manager and grain buyer for the Farmers' Elevator Company, of Vining, Minnesota; Arthur, who is a chauffeur for the Fiske livery at New York Mills; Justus, a student of the Wadena Business College; Clara, who married Marshall Lloyd, an electrician of Verndale, Minnesota; and Laura, who lives at home. Following the death of his daughter, Adla, Hans C. Hanson adopted his granddaughter, Lura Ash, who now lives with Mr. Hanson as one of the family.

Hans C. Hanson is prominently and broadly affiliated with several fraternal organizations of the community, he being a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since twenty-two years of age, a lodge in which he has served as vice-grand at Rochester. Mr. Hanson is also a Mason of Perham Lodge No. 159, as well as of the chapter at Wadena. Hans C. Hanson is a member of the Modern Brotherhood of America, and in church affiliation he is a member of the Congregational church, in which congregation he serves as treasurer. In politics he is a Republican.

As printed in History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions : with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families (1916). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.