Hanson, Oliver J.

HANSON, JACOBSON

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 7/21/2006 at 22:27:40

HANSON, OLIVER J.

Mr. Hanson, a prominent farmer and a much respected citizen of Logan township, Lyon county, has wisely chosen a vocation that beyond all others embodies a useful career and gives a dignified independence; and the painstaking care with which he maintains his broad acres in the highest culture shows both the skilled agriculturist as well as the successful businessman. Skillful management and unwearied industry are sure of the best results, and these he is richly realizing.

Mr. Hanson was born on a farm in Lafayette county, Wisconsin, in 1862, whither his father, John Hanson, came from his native land, Norway, a single man, and settled in 1850. Here he married and reared a family which he removed to Iowa in 1876, where he bought land in Lyon township, being among the very earliest settles of Lyon county.

For the first two years after his location he had to contend with returning plagues of grasshoppers, and small crops were the order. He withstood the hard times, and survived until January 13, 1903, when he passed away at the old home full of years and honor. For a time the family lived in a shanty, with a sodded exterior, and did their marketing at LeMars and Sheldon. Other towns, however, sprang up, the railroad came closer, and the southwest part of Lyon county has of late years been much better provided with transportation and trading facilities.

Oliver J. Hanson remained at home with his parents until he was twenty-six years old, and did his full share in the development of the paternal homestead. In 1888 he located where he has since made his present home. At that time it was wild prairie land, with but fifteen acres broken, and no buildings of any kind. Presently he put up his first building, a stable 16 by 24, and then built a house of the same dimensions. Twice he has been hailed out, in 1895 and again in 1900, and on each occasion suffered quite serious loss.

In 1897 occurred the wedding of Mr. Hanson and Miss Minnie Jacobson. She was born in Norway, where her father, Owen Sund, was a farmer and fisherman. He brought his family to this country in 1881, settling in Illinois, but since 1897 has made his home in Norway. Mr. and Mrs. Hanson went on an extended bridal trip visiting Washington, Portland, and other places on their way. They have a family of five children: Astor Emil, Raymond Leonard, Fern Edyth, Effie Ruth, and Jay Wilmer, all of whom were born on the Hanson farm.

At the present time Mr. Hanson owns a fine and well appointed place of two hundred and forty acres which lies in two tracts, the larger piece containing one hundred and sixty acres. He also owns a quarter section in Emmons county, North Dakota. Upon his home place, he has a residence whose dimensions are 16 by 24 feet, 16 by 28, 12 by 12 and 10 by 12. Other farm buildings are a granary 18 by 56; a machine shed, 14 by 42; a corn crib, 34 by 34; and a hog house, 20 by 32 feet. Ten acres are devoted to growing forest trees. He has numerous apple trees and other fruit trees now greenly growing, and several tall and stately pines give interest to the landscape.

In the community Mr. Hanson stands well, and is now filling the office of town trustee. He is known among the old settlers, and is esteemed alike for his integrity, manly character and business ability.

Source: Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Lyon County, Iowa. Published under the Auspices of the Pioneer Association of Lyon County. Geo. Monlun, Pres.; Hon. E. C. Roach Sec’y; and Col. F. M. Thompson, Historian. Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Published, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. Chicago, 1904-1905

Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner, Darlene Jacoby and Diane Johnson