Hanson, George E.

HANSON, ASHTON, FAUCETT, RIPPEY, ARNSWORTH, LOWE, PARKER, BYAL, BLACKWOOD

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 8/30/2009 at 12:31:01

Hanson, George E.

It is with a great degree of satisfaction to the biographer when he reverts to the life of one who has made the rough path of life smooth by his untiring perseverance, has attained success in any vocation requiring definiteness of purpose and determined action. Such a life, whether it be one of calm, consecutive endeavor, or of sudden meteoric accomplishments, must abound in both lesson and incentive and prove a guide to the young men whose fortunes are still matters for the future to determine. For many years George E. Hanson, well known and substantial stock man and agriculturist of Clear Creek Township, Jasper County, has directed his efforts toward the goal of success and by patient continuance has won pronounced success. He has not only by his industry, fair dealing and sound judgment improved a fine farm and gained a competency, but has materially assisted in the general welfare of the community, in many ways lending his valuable time and influence in the promulgation of various uplifting movements, consequently he is eminently deserving of the high esteem in which he is universally held and of the confidence reposed in him by all classes.

Mr. Hanson was born on the farm where he still resides in Clear Creek Township, on January 11, 1863, and here he has been content to spend his life, gradually advancing himself from an humble beginning to a position of ease and affluence, one of the most substantial men of the Township, all through his individual, unaided efforts. He is the son of Hans and Mary (Ashton) Hanson, the father born in Norway, April 13, 1828, and the mother was born in Ohio; her death occurred at Collins, Iowa, in October 1896. When young in years the father came to America, locating in Iowa in an early day and here spent practically the rest of his life. He was a man of sterling traits, brave and a hard worker. He was a member of the famous band of forty-niners and he crossed the great western plains with an ox team to California, remaining in that state four years, then went to Australia and remained there four years, returning to the United States by way of Liverpool, England, thus circumnavigating the globe. His death occurred at Collins, Iowa, on September 14, 1896. His family consisted of seven children, four of whom are living, named as follows: J. B. is deceased; George E., of this sketch; S. S. lives at Collins; Mrs. Hulda Faucett, of Maxwell; Amos lives at Collins; William and Myrtle are deceased.

George E. Hanson grew up on the home farm where he began working in the fields when but a boy, and during the winter months he attended the public schools in his district. He took up farming for a livelihood and when but a boy evinced an especial bent toward cattle and feeds from five to six carloads yearly. Today no better judge of cattle could be found than he.

Mr. Hanson was married on April 11, 1894, to Edna Rippey, who was born in Independence Township, this County, on March 7, 1867. She is the daughter of William and Ann (Arnsworth) Rippey, the father born in Kosciusko County, Indiana, April 9, 1829, and the mother's birth occurred there on April 11th of the same year. They grew up in their native community and were married in 1859. Mr. Rippey was seventeen years old when, in 1854, he came to Iowa, locating on a farm in Jasper County and was thus one of the early pioneers here; however, he later returned to Indiana, but came back to this County during the latter fifties and has since made his home here, living now at Ira. He served with much credit in the Union army during the Civil War. He devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, becoming one of the largest landowners and substantial citizens of the County, owning at one time one thousand acres and he yet retains six hundred acres, after giving considerable land to his children, of whom there were eight, named as follows: Mrs. Fannie E. Lowe died in Idaho; Mrs. Elizabeth A. Parker lives in Sherman Township, this County; Mrs. Martha Byal lives in Clear Creek Township, Jasper County; Francis J. lives near the town of Ira, this County; Frederick Grant and Mary are both deceased; Jessie M. is also deceased. Mr. Rippey was again married in 1910 to Eva Blackwood, a native of this County. Mr. Rippey is a well-known and highly respected gentleman whom to know is to admire.

To Mr. and Mrs. Hanson six children have been born, namely: Harold, whose birth occurred January 1, 1895; Grace, born March 31, 1896; Lars, born June 19, 1901; Louis, born August 30, 1902; Hollis, born October 7, 1907; James B., born August 2, 1910.

Politically, Mr. Hanson is a Republican and he has taken considerable interest in local affairs. He has served very acceptably as Township Trustee and as a member of the local school board. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which they are liberal supporters.

Mr. Hanson has been very successful in a business way, laying by an ample competency for his declining years. He is the owner of five hundred and thirty-three acres of choice, productive and well-improved land in Clear Creek Township, eighty acres of desirable land in Independence Township, this County, besides one hundred and sixty acres in Texas. He has two sets of excellent buildings on the land in Clear Creek Township. His attractive, modern home, commodious barns and outbuildings make his one of the finest country homes in Jasper County. Everything about the place not only denotes good taste and careful management, but thrift and prosperity, also. He carries on farming and stock raising on an extensive scale. He maintains all the modern comforts and conveniences in and at his home, such as an automobile, piano, etc., and his house is heated with hot water, installed with gaslights and many other up-to-date appliances. He is a director in the Exchange State Bank of Collins. He is interested in Percheron horses, having at the head of his statues the well-known "Bismark," No. 40689, American register. Owing to their superior grade and quality, his fine horses never fail to bring fancy prices when offered for sale.

Personally, Mr. Hanson is a congenial, liberal, broad-minded, unassuming gentleman whom it is a pleasure to know. Past and Present of Jasper County Iowa B. F. Bowden & Company, Indianapolis, IN, 1912 Page 1211.