Stephen Hanson 1814-1888

HANSON, MAHER, DUNN

Posted By: Melissa Mayhew Grandt (email)
Date: 3/25/2014 at 23:16:00

[Transcriber's note: This article was transcribed exactly as it appeared in the original, including any misspellings or grammatical errors. Transcriber is not related to any persons mentioned and article is transcribed purely for genealogical research purposes.]

Williamsburgh Journal, Williamsburgh (Iowa Co.), Iowa, 27 April 1888, p2.

In Memoriam.
DIED, at his residence, three miles south-east of Williamsburgh, Iowa, April 12, 1888, STEPHEN HANSON, in his 75th year.

His remains were interred in St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery, at Holbrook, April 14, 1888. A requiem mass was sung by the Choir of St. Michael's, and Father Davis delivered the funeral sermon and performed the last ceremonies over the remains.

Mr. Hanson was born in Athlone, in the County of Westmeath, Ireland, in 1814; and came to America when but 17 years of age, arriving at New York. He removed from New York to Ross Co., Ohio, where he lived for many years. In 1845; was united in marriage to Miss Anna Maher. This happy union was blessed with two children, one of them dying. In 1845, shortly after Mr. Hanson was married, he travelled from Ohio by wagon to Iowa, arriving on the 1st of May, on Section 23, Township 79; now Troy township. This trip west may be termed Mr. Hanson's wedding tour. This tour was not made in palace coaches drawn by the iron horse, but in a wagon drawn by oxen, over a trackless country. Hotels were not here to receive him, nor kind neighbors to give him shelter beneath their roofs; so he had to camp in the wagon until he built for himself a log cabin upon the farm where he resided until his death.

In 1850, the faithful partner of his youthful days and sharer in all the hardships incident to a new and unsubdued country, was removed by the hand of death. He again married, marrying Miss Maggie Dunn, of this county, this happy union was blessed by ten children, four boys and six girls. They all were with him at the time of his death, excepting one daughter, who resides in Colorado.

Mr. Hanson had been a sufferer for nearly a year; his disease held him bedfast for more three months previous to his death. HIs sufferings were great, but he bore all with the greatest patience and fortitude.

He was one of that early pioneer band of settlers, who came to Iowa when it was still a territory, and has ever been a leading citizen of Iowa County, and always took an active and reliable interest in its rapid growth. He was a good and faithful member of the Catholic Church, and was dearly loved by his family, respected by his neighbors, and honored by all. HIs whole life was filled with loving deeds of charity and devotion; and now at the age of nearly four-score years, he has gone to receive his crown. And may his reward be that which is promised to the good and faithful, while on earth a home, beyond the skies a Heavenly Home, a Home in Heaven. T.J.K.