HANSON, Mervin 1898-1929

HANSON, HENDRICKSON, SEVERSON

Posted By: Karen L. Robertson (email)
Date: 1/13/2011 at 16:35:16

Mervin Olonzo Hanson, the oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Hans P. Hanson, was born on the 13th of June 1898, on a farm seven miles east of Northwood, Deer Creek township, and died in an accident on June 23, 1929 about 11 o'clock at the age of 31 years, 10 days. He was baptized August 14, 1898 by Rev. John Olsen of St. Ansgar.

He attended rural school close to his home and completed the eighth grade. When he was but fourteen years of age his father died, this was in 1912. June 14, 1914 he was confirmed by Rev. M.E. Waldeland at the Carpenter Lutheran church.

Living on the farm two years after his father's death he moved with the rest of the family to Northwood, where he atteded high school and graduated with the class of 1918. Having now gained an education he desired to move back to the farm and resume greater responsibilities. Since that time he has been an active farmer at work on the home farm and when his brothers became older rented land close by. It was always his wish that they might work together and not become separated. While living on the farm he held various offices, the first being superintendent of Sunday School and later selected as trustee of the Deer Creek Lutheran Church. He has been secretary and treasurer of the Deer Creek Threshing Co., since its organization. He served as treasurer and later as secretary of the Deer Creek school board. He has been township assessor for the past five years. All of these offices with the exception of the first mentioned, he held at the time of his death. During his last two weeks he was interested in a Farm Bureau membership campaign. He was selected as chairman of the workers for the Deaconess Home and Training school. He worked diligently and completed this work the Saturday before his death.

Mervin, as everyone knew him, was a friend to many and often had made the remark that he had no enemies. He was always energetic and a willing worker both for the community and for God's kingdom. He was a kind and loving son and brother, thought most of those nearest and dearest to him, was a willing giver and always ready to lend a helping hand, caring for the ones at home and being like a father to his younger brothers.

God has picked a flower for his garden. A chair is vacant in our home that never can be filled but we have joy to know he rests in peace.

He leaves to mourn his loss the most, his mother, one sister, Gilma Leonora (now Mrs. Irving Hendrickson) two brothers, Roy Leonard and Alfred Bernard, his sweetheart, Esther Anderson, besides his grandmother, Mrs. Ole Severson and a host of relatives and friends.

Funeral services were held June 26, 1929 1:30 at the house and 2:00 at the church. The Rev. Olaf A. Langehough had charge of the services. Burial in the Evergreen Cemetery beside his father.

Card of Thanks

We wish to thank the many friends who offered assistance or helped in any way, who spoke words of consolation and expressed sympathy during this time of sorrow. We are grateful for the beautiful floral tributes and wish to especially thank those who gave in memory of our loved one. May sorrow be long in coming to you.
Mrs. Lena Hanson
Roy and Alfred Hanson
Mr. and Mrs. Irving Hendrickson
Esther Anderson

Item#2

MERVIN HANSON INSTANTLY KILLED BY TRAIN

At 11 o'clock last Sunday Mervin Hanson of near Meltonville was struck by the Great Western freight at the crossing, two miles west of the Deer Creek church, and instantly killed. He had attended church in the morning and was on the way to visit a neighbor, expecting to be home for dinner.

The following account of the accident was furnished us by our Carpenter correspondent, Ruth Nickerson: The people of this vicinity were shocked and grieved to learn of the death of Mervin Hanson, son of Mrs. Hans Hanson, which occurred Sunday forenoon when the car, a new Ford coach, in which he was riding, was struck by a freight on the crossing west of Deer Creek church. When the train stopped and picked him up he was dying and he lived only a few minutes. Mr. and Mrs. Vern Thompson were among the first to arrive and they identified him at once.

"Benj. Leitch, Chas. Sefert and Sherwin Kleinwort who were returning from a fishing trip, stopped and took the body to the undertakers at Northwood, after the coroner had seen it. Mervin had two bad cuts on the side of his heard and his left side near the heart was crushed in. The car was completely wrecked.

"Mervin was the oldest of the family and had managed the farm since the death of his father, nine years ago. He was one of the finest young men of this community and his death is keenly felt by all who knew him."

The prominence of Mr. Hanson in the Deer Creek community is attested by the fact that, altho only 31 years of age, he was a trustee of the Norwegian Lutheran church, secretary of the school board, and the township assessor.

St. Ansgar Enterprise