Hans, George A.

HANS, SCHWAB, MITCHELL, STREET, WHERRY, OVERHOLTZ

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/23/2009 at 17:09:59

Hans, George A.

Among the progressive German citizens of Jasper County whose labors have benefited alike themselves and the community in general the name of George A. Hans should be mentioned among the first in the list, for a glance at his well kept and highly improved place would indicate that he is a man of thrift and modern ideas; besides he is a man of splendid reputation for honesty and fair dealing, and his whole life is not given over to sordid money getting, the finer attributes of his nature making themselves manifest.

Mr. Hans was born April 12, 1864, in Jones County, Iowa, and he is the son of Andrew and Mary (Schwab) Hans, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father came to America in 1850, when he was nineteen years old; the voyage across the Atlantic required thirty-one days on that occasion. Landing in New York, he remained there several years, engaged in fishing and farming. Later he removed to Illinois, where he remained a year or two, then came to Iowa, buying forty acres in Jones County. Here he prospered by reason of untiring efforts along judicious lines and, adding to his place from time to time, he finally became the owner of four hundred acres and became one of the substantial and influential men of his vicinity. In 1893 he moved to Jasper County, Iowa, and bought two hundred and forty acres in section 24, Newton Township, and he there established a splendid home. He is now living retired at the advanced age of eighty-one years, living with his daughter at Nevada, Story County, this state. At the present time he owns eighty acres, formerly owned by his son, Andrew, Jr. His wife died in 1877; she was the mother of George A., of this review. The father subsequently married Malinda Hartman, who is now deceased. Four years ago Andrew Hans, Sr., made a trip to Germany, visiting his old home and relatives. While he lived in Jones County, his old mother came from Germany to visit him. He has been a good and useful man, doing much for the communities where he has lived and winning a host of friends by his kindness and genial ways.

George A. Hans, of this review, was one of a family of nine children, of whom Nettie, Mary, Henry, Carrie, Elmer and Eddie died before reaching maturity; Andrew died four years ago, leaving a wife and one child; he was a farmer in Newton Township; Amelia is with her father in Story County, as mentioned above; George A. was the fourth in order of birth.

The subject came to Jasper County with his father and here he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 14, Newton Township. Selling this four years ago, he obtained possession of the farm his father bought in section 24 and here he has since resided, engaged very successfully in general farming and stock raising, becoming well known as a breeder of shorthorn cattle. He has a splendid farm, well improved and up-to-date. He has a commodious and elegantly furnished house and substantial outbuildings.

In 1889 Mr. Hans was united in marriage with Hattie Mitchell, who was born in Jones County, Iowa, February 6, 1868. She is the daughter of John and Harriet (Street) Mitchell, natives of Ohio, who moved to Jones County in an early day and there engaged successfully in farming, the father dying in 1902, at the age of sixty-seven years; the mother died in March, 1912, aged seventy-four years. Their family consisted of twelve children, named as follows: Francis lives in Oklahoma, where Peasley also resides; Tom lives in Jones County, Iowa; Mary married George Wherry, of Story County; Furby married Sigle Overholtz of Jones County; Emma is at home; Talbert is in business at Tipton, Iowa; Anna married Harvey Wherry, of Story County; Wilbur is in business at Tipton; Jerome lives on a farm in Jones County, engaged in business with Wilbur; Laurence lives at West Branch.

Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hans: Georgie, born September 24, 1891; Velma, born September 4, 1896, is attending Muncie high school and she has received a musical education; John, born January 12, 1898.

Mr. Hans is a member of the Yeomen lodge at Newton, and he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church at Newton. Politically, he is a Republican. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1016.