In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1854
From 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)
JOHN HANSON.
John Hanson, of Leaf Lake township, this county, who was born in Sweden on December 18, 1854, but who has lived in America since he was sixteen years old, owns live hundred and fifty acres of land all in one body and practically all of which was wild land when he purchased it.
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Mr. Hanson's father, Hans Johnson, came to America in 1871, bringing his family with him to the new country. After a short stay in the state of Maine, the family moved to Meeker county, Minnesota, where they purchased eighty acres of land. From 1871 to 1890, the family lived in Meeker county and there the mother died and the father went to Sweden for a visit. Upon his return to Minnesota he settled in Otter Tail county. Hans Johnson lived with his son, John Hanson, until his death, about 189. He was a farmer all of his life and a devout member of the Lutheran church. His wife died about 1890. They had only two children who grew to maturity: Helen, who is now deceased, and John, the subject of this sketch.
After receiving a meager education in the public schools of his native land. John Hanson, at the age of sixteen years, came to America with his parents. He settled with them in Meeker county. Minnesota, bul moved to a homestead in section (1, Leaf Lake township and lived there live years. This tract he sold later on. Mr. Hanson first purchased forty acres, in 1888. in section 2. of Leaf Lake township, hut has added to the original farm until he now owns live hundred and fifty-one acres of land. In 1 1 > 1 _ his house burned and a little later in the same year the house was rebuilt. In [897 Mr. Hanson built a commodious barn. lie raises a great manv Durham cattle and red Duroc-Jersey hogs and keeps altogether about one hundred head. For twenty years, Mr. Hanson has been engaged in the live-stock shipping business. He has shipped to all of the nearby markets.
including St. Paul and Chicago. For twelve years Mr. Hanson was in the grain business at Henning and. during five years of the time, operated the farmers' elevator at Henning. which he leased.
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Although not a member of the Lutheran church,.Mr. Hanson has always been a warm and ardent supporter of this denomination and contributes liberally to its support locally. Before moving to Henning. Minnesota, he served as chairman of the township for two years and also served as supervisor of the township for three years.
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.
The printed record stops around 1916. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.