Hans & Dorthea HANSON - died Dec. 1914

OLSON, HANSON, SORENSON

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 5/13/2005 at 19:43:24

OLD COUPLE BURNS TO DEATH

A fire this Wednesday morning about 7 o'clock destroyed the home of Olof Olson, three quarters of a mile west of Waterville, and the aged parents of Mrs. Olson, Mr. and Mrs. Hanson, were burned to death. Mr. Olson had built the house fires and later, while doing his chores at the barn, was horrified to discover the home in flames. The old folks slept in the second story where the fire evidently originated from a defective flue. Olson made frantic efforts to rescue them but the flames prevented. His wife and daughter barely had time to escape from their rooms on the lower floor, so rapid and fierce was the fire. The house and entire contents were quickly consumed. The bodies of the old couple were found in the ruins. It is presumed their death was really caused by suffocation from the smoke and heat. They were pioneer residents of that locality and last summer had celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with a happy gathering of family and friends. Harold Hanson, living near by, is their son, and Mrs. Hans Sorenson is a daughter.

- source: Waukon Democrat - December 1914
- contributed by Brenda Linkeman