HANSEN, Christopher 1826-1911

HANSEN, LEE, HARLIS, JOHNSON, STANDY, BERGERON, CULMSEE, CAESAR, NEILSEN, MULLARKY

Posted By: Karen L. Robertson (email)
Date: 1/20/2011 at 16:13:53

Another of the familiar faces of our peaceful village will be seen no more. Another and almost the last of the original settlers of this section has gone to his last resting place. Christopher Hansen, who for the last few years has been known to the children as a kindly old gentleman whom they fancied looked like Santa Claus and who always had a pleasant word; and to the older people as one who for nearly half a century, was a leader in all that made for good, one of the foremost men of this community, but who had now retired from active duties, a companion of his books and his papers and the few friends of his earlier years; quietly passed from life's cares and life's duties, at six o'clock last Sunday morning.

Christipher Hansen was born in Faaberg Guldhrandsdalen, Norway, July 27, 1826. His parents were Hans Severson Rustad and Ingeborg Olsdatter Hougerud, vestre Gausdal. He was confirmed by Rev. Rasmus Lyng.

When 16 years of age he was an apprentice in the mill under the well known Eric Bu, of Lillehammer. At the age of 20 he went to Christiania and spent another 4 years as wagonmaker.

In 1849 he enlisted in the army and after serving 50 days he got (next line missing) igrate to America. On July 4, 1850, accompanied by his brother Simon, he boarded the "Petrus" and sailed July 5 under Capt. Johnson. Altho the ship was old and rotten he arrived safely in New York, September 6th, same year. The "Petrus" was lost on its return voyage. After spending a few days in New York they went to Albany by steam boat from thence on canal boat to Buffalo then on steam boat to Milwaukee, by this time they were penniless. Before long they went to Rock Prairie, Wis., where he spent his first winter working at his trade of wagon maker.

In October 1853 accompanied by Hellick Benson and Thore Mork they went to Mitchell County, Iowa. Mr. Hansen chose the land on which he lived until 1901 when he moved to St. Ansgar. He returned to Wisconsin and moved to Iowa in 1854. In 1857 he was united in marriage to Bergette Aslaksdatter Lee from Hallingdal. To this union 14 children were born, of which 10 are living, his wife and 4 children having preceded him to the heavenly home.

Mr. Hansen had the great pleasure of seeing 12 of his children grow to young manhood and womanhood, married and bless him with grandchildren and great grand-children, in whom he took great pride.

The children living are Mrs. Christine Harlis, Osage, Iowa; H. Lauritz, McIntosh, Minn.; Olaf S., North Yakima, Washington; Alex Douglas, Wyndmere, North Dakota; Karl M., Prince Albert, Canada, Agnettie Johnson, Virginia, Minn.; Anna M. Standy, Mahmomen, Minn.; H. Elizabeth Bergeron, Scohomish, Wash.; Clara B. Culmsee, Norfolk, Neb.; J. Caesar, North Yakima. He is also survived by his brother Simon aged 88, and a sister in Norway age 83, 38 grand-children and two great grand-children.

Besides the above, Julia Sophia Neilsen, died at Meltonville, Iowa, March 24, 1901. Caroline Mullarky died at Flora Vista, New Mex., June 25, 1902. May Louise died March 21, 1882.

Mr. Hansen has enjoyed exceptionally good health for a man of his years. After an illness of six (next sentence missing) Sunday morning at 6:15 o'clock December 17,1911. He was conscious until the last firmly believeling in Christ our Saviour.

Mr. Hansen easily took place as one of the first men of his time. He was a great reader and a man of marvelous memory. He always managed to spare the necessary money to keep supplied with the literature of the time. A few years ago when a call was made by the University of Wisconsin for the file of "Nord", the first Norwegian newspaper published in America, Mr. Hansen supplied it. This it was perfectly natural that he should come to be regarded as one of the best informed Norwegians in America. The old adage about a prophet having no honor in his own country did not apply here for his neighbors continually chose him to fill positions of honor and trust. For a large portion of the active years of his life he served as a member of the board of education and township trustee. Many time he served on the grand jury, and in the early nineties on the United States grand jury at Dubuque.

Mr. Hansen highly appreciated the advantages of an education and desired that his children should have the best that could be had for them. At one time he had 9 children attending the public schools. And at one time when the St. Ansgar schools were full to over flowing with a hundred pupils and only one teacher he sent seven of his children across the river to help out the Erickson school which was without sufficient pupils to successfully run. The last time he was a member of the St. Ansgar school board he served continuously for 15 years. Mr. Hansen was also associated with Rev. Clausen in the preliminary work of laying out the town of St. Ansgar.

He was the most active man in founding, building up and maintaining the Norwegian Lutheran church in St. Ansgar during the active years of his life. When the stone church was erected here he was an active member of the building committee, along with N.H. Lund and Hans Halvorson. When on account of the hurry of the season none could be found to haul the material, he took his team out of the field and did the work, and when the church was completed and on one could be found to attempt the dangerous task of placing the brass ball on the weather vane, he volunteered for the service and sucessfully accomplished it.

Mr. Hansen was a man of the most exaulted character. His word was ever regarded as good as gold. He was a man whose intense loyality to his friends would permit him to believe no evil reports concerning them. His ideas were highest in every point, and he inspired in his children the same high sense of honor that characterized his own life, in whatever walks of life they may be found they have upheld that ideal and have been an honor to themselves and a credit to the family name.

When a man can lie down at the close of such a long, useful and busy life leaving such a record of honorable success, and such a family to mourn his departure and cherish his memory, it is difficult to find words to adequately express, what simple justice demands should be said, or to fully estimate the great influence which such a character has exerted, the memory and effect of which lives on thru the coming years.

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The funeral of Christopher Hansen whose obituary appears on the front page of this issue, was held at the U.N.L. church this afternoon, Rev. Waldeland officiating. Six of the children were here to attend the funeral. Mrs. Harlis of Osage and Mrs. Culmsee arrived here while he was alive. Mrs. O.K. Stendy of Mahmomen, Minn., arrived here Monday morning, and also did Lauritz of McIntosh, Minn., Douglas arrived here from Wyndmere, N.D., Monday and Karl arrived here from Canada this afternoon. Mr. A. Harlis, Banker Johnson and Mr. Hallinby of Osage came up this afternoon to attend the funeral.

St. Ansgar Enterprise