Hanson, Harold – 1895-1924

HANSON, KIMBERLEY, SIGNS

Posted By: JCGS Volunteer
Date: 2/21/2023 at 14:06:08

Harold George Hanson, son of Mr. and Mrs. George E. Hanson, was born on the home farm in Clear Creek township on January 1, 1895. He passed away at the Methodist hospital in Des Moines April 5, 1924, aged 29 years, 3 months and 4 days. The greater part of his life was spent on the home farm, and he took his place in the school and social life of the neighborhood. He was united in marriage to Ora Signs on April 4, 1917. To this union one son was born, Hansel Signs.
Only two days before his marriage this country formally declared war on Germany, and Harold entered the service of his country. He served his country in that world war conflict for a total enlistment of twenty-two months. Eleven months of that period of service were spent in active duty overseas, his service being in the 166th infantry of the 42d division. His regiment participated in some of the intense and memorable of engagements, chief among them being Chateau-Thierry, the Marne, and the Argonne. After the armistice he served as a member of the army of occupation in Germany. On his regiment’s return to this country he was mustered out at Des Moines in May, 1919. His exposure and the hardships of the trench warfare in France so undermined his health that he never fully regained vigor and strength in these later years. Little by little health and strength failed him until the final illness.
Through all his suffering and until the last, he bore his burden of disability with courage and patience. His loved ones and friends, those who best knew him, testify to his clean, manly, Christian character and his effort to do his share of life’s duties. He was a member of the American Legion post at Mingo, Iowa.
He leaves to mourn his death, the death of a soldier who truly gave all to his country, his wife, his son, Hansel Signs Hanson, his father and mother, his sister, Mrs. Grace Kimberley of Mingo, and three brothers, Lars, Hollis and James. One sister, Lois, preceded him into that better land in 1911. Many other relatives and friends share in the sorrow caused by his going.
Funeral services were conducted Tuesday afternoon at two o’clock at the Ashton Chapel church, Rev. E. G. Williams of Colfax officiating. The scripture lesson was the 13th chapter of I Corinthians, and the text was the seventh verse of the 4th chapter of Paul’s second letter to Timothy. Pall bearers were six cousins of Harold’s, Floyd and Roy Parker, Lester Hanson, Alfred Fawcett, Gale Rippey and Dewer Byal. The Mingo American Legion, of which Harold was a member, conducted military services at the grave.
Source: Jasper County Record (Colfax, IA); Thursday, April 17, 1924, page 4 (Ira news)

Harold George Hanson, a prominent young farmer, residing 5 ½ miles west of Baxter, died at a Des Moines hospital at 8:10 p.m. Saturday evening, April 5th, from a complication of heart and kidney disease, with which he had suffered for over a year. He was in the hospital for two months and then came home for a short time, returning to the hospital the first of last week. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at two o’clock at Ashton Chapel, conducted by Rev. E. G. Williams of Colfax. Interment was made in the cemetery at Collins.
Harold George Hanson, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Hanson, was born in Clear Creek township, Jasper County, Iowa, January 1st, 1895 and died April 5th 1924, having reached the age of 29 years, 3 months and 4 days. All his life was spent in this community with the exception of the time he was in the Army.
On April 4th, 1917 he was married to Miss Ora Signs and to them was born one son, Hansell, who is now 2 ½ years old. In September 1917, he entered the United States army, serving for a year and eight months, during which time he saw much active service, being in four offensives and badly injured by gas, although this was a subject upon which it was hard to get him to talk.
Mr. Hanson was an industrious, enterprising young farmer, who was held in high esteem by all who had the privilege of his friendship. He was naturally of a quiet and retiring disposition, but he made friends easily and held them. His death has caused universal sorrow, and while the greatest loss will be felt in the home, still his passing will be felt by the community at large, but more especially in his own neighborhood.
Source: Jasper County Record (Colfax, IA); Thursday, April 17, 1924, page 3