HANSEN, C. L.

HANSEN, MILLER, GAARDNER, LOW, MAASPOL

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 2/3/2011 at 16:16:51

C. L. Hansen is a retired farmer who since 1911 has made his home in Osage, but for many years prior to that date he was actively identified with farming and kindred interests in Mitchell county. A native of Germany, he was born in 1856, a son of Hans P. and Anna M. (Low) Hansen. The father was born in the Danish provinces which passed into German possession, and in 1864 came to the United States with his family, establishing his home in St. Ansgar town­ship, Mitchell county, where he carried on general farming. He was a progres­sive citizen and was greatly interested in the political issues of the day, but never sought nor desired office, concentrating his energies upon his agricultural activities. He died in 1914, having for many years survived his wife, who passed away in 1896. They were the parents of six children, of whom five are living: Edward, who makes his home in Lismore, Minnesota; Hans C., of St. Ansgar; Mrs. Mattie Maaspol, deceased; Peter B., living in Turlock, California; Adolph a resident of Mitchell township; and C. L., of this review.

C. L. Hansen began his education in the schools of his native country, being a boy of eight years at the time of the emigration of the family to the new world He then attended the public schools of Mitchell county, his first teacher here being Judge Clyde. He remained with his father upon the home farm and early became familiar with the best methods of tilling the soil and caring for the crops, for he soon began work in the fields. Subsequently, however, he went to Oregon, where he remained for three years, crossing the plains in 1882 with the intention of homesteading, but he did not like the northwest, and in 1885 returned to Iowa. He took up farming in Mitchell county and was actively engaged in the work of tilling the soil from that date until 1911, covering a period of twenty-six years. He cultivated a quarter section of land near Osage and specialized in the raising of hogs and cattle, raising grain only for feeding purposes. His business affairs were wisely and carefully managed and his indefatigable energy and persever­ance brought to him a gratifying measure of success, so that he is now the possessor of a handsome competence. At the time of his marriage he rented the farm which he afterward purchased and in its cultivation he displayed most progressive methods.

On September 4, 1887, occurred the marriage of Mr. Hansen and Miss Mary Miller, who was also born in Germany, her natal year being 1865, Her parents were Mr. and Mrs. J. P. Miller, who are natives of Germany or of Denmark and who came to the United States in 1875, settling in St. Ansgar, where they are still living. They had a family of seven children, four of whom survive. To Mr. and Mrs. Hansen have been born two children: Anna Fossey, who was born in Mitchell township in 1888; and Cordelia M., who is the wife of Henry Gaarder and is living in Osage.

In his political views Mr. Hansen has been a stalwart republican since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He has served as assessor in Mitchell township, holding the office in 1897 and 1898. He was manager of the Osage Creamery for four years, from 1911 until 1914, and was largely instrumental in the development of that enterprise. Fraternally he is connected with the Wood­men of Osage, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Congregational church, in which he is serving as a deacon. His has been a well spent and upright life and high regard is entertained for him by the many friends who have known him from his boyhood to the present time. For forty-six years he has been a resident of Mitchell county and an interested witness of its growth and progress. He has contributed to its agricultural development and at all times he has been willing to cooperate in the plans and movements for the general good.

Source: History of Mitchell and Worth Counties, Iowa, Vol. II, 1918, page 376.