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Charles Hanson

Charles Hanson, a farmer and stone-cutter, has resided in Jefferson Township for a third of a century, his home being now in Oelwein. He was born in the town of Keighley, Yorkshire, England, on the 17th of April, 1837, and is a son of Thomas and Mary (Terry) Hanson, who were also natives of the same town. Their family numbered five children, four sons and a daughter: Hiram, the eldest, married Miss Ann Heckard and resides in Oelwein; Joseph wedded Miss Maria Holly, and is a resident of Chicago; Jonas married Sara Ella Skaff in England, and their home is now in Custer County, Neb.; Charles is the next younger; and Harriet is the wife of Christopher Smith, a farmer of Jefferson Township. Thomas Hanson first came to the United States in 1843 and after spending one year in Racine County, Wis., returned to England. In 1860, he once more crossed the Atlantic to America, being accompanied by his wife and younger children, his elder sons, Hiram and Charles, having preceded him in 1843. He came direct to Fayette County, Iowa, and purchased a farm in Jefferson Township, upon which he made his home until his death August 27, 1878. His wife died May 30, 1865.

The subject of this sketch, bidding good-bye to his native land, crossed the Atlantic in May, 1857. The first year and a half after his arrival he spent in Lockport, Ill., coming to this county in the autumn of 1858. He purchased a farm on section 17, Jefferson Township, which he still owns and which he has increased to two hundred and forty acres. It is well improved, the fields are under a high state of cultivation, and it may be classed among the most valuable farms in this county. Mr. Hanson was married soon after his arrival in the community, he choosing as a helpmate on life's journey Miss Eliza Eleanore Shelton. Their union was celebrated in Jefferson Township, on the 16th of December, 1860. The lady was born in Greene County, Ind., September 11, 1840, and is a daughter of Enoch and Elizabeth (Burch) Shelton, and a granddaughter of the Rev. James Burch, one of the earliest settlers of Jefferson Township, and the original proprietor of the site of Oelwein. With her mother she came to Fayette County in 1852, her father having died in Tazewell County, Ill., May 12, 1851. He was born June 1, 1819, and wedded Miss Burch by whom he had five children, Mrs. Hanson being the eldest; Permelia Jane, the second, is the wife of John Colvert, of Missouri; Sarah R. resides in Chicago; James married Julia Hunt, and is a farmer of Oran Township; Mary A., the youngest, is the wife of Frank Lindsey, of Chicago. After the death of her husband Mrs. Hanson came with her parents and her children to this county and was here married to Michael Schneider. Of the second marriage the following children were born: Michael S., Luella, Lydia A., George J., Sidney and William A., all of whom are living. The mother died July 14, 1886, and Mr. Schneider departed this life March 31, 1889.

Six children, three sons and three daughters grace the union of Mr. Hanson and Miss Shelton - Emily E., now the wife of Albert Hockings, a resident farmer of Jefferson Township; Mary J., at home; Charles Edwin, who married Carrie Banghart, and resides in Oelwein; James Henry, who is living on the home farm; Benjamin Hiram and Gertie Belle, who complete the number, are yet in school. All were born in Jefferson Township.

In political sentiment Mr. Hanson is a supporter of the Republican party and he and his wife are members of the Free Will Baptist Church, also the two older daughters and second son. In March, 1890, he removed with his family to Chicago, intending to reside in that city, but his health failing, he was obliged to return to Iowa after a few months and June following his family located in Oelwein, where they now make their home. Mr. Hanson learned the stonecutter's trade in his youth and worked at that occupation on first coming to America for several years. On his arrival in this county he took up farming also, and now combines the two occupations which yield to him a comfortable income. He has been an industrious, hard-working man, upright in all business transactions, and is devoted to his home and family.