Hansen, Peter 1813-1906

HANSEN, TONSFELDT, BRIX

Posted By: Linda Mohning (email)
Date: 10/11/2011 at 19:36:42

OLDEST RESIDENT OF REMSEN. Peter Hansen Passes Away Full of Years and Honor.
Peter Molzen, of Preston Township, returned on Friday from Remsen where with his brothers Nicholas and Christian Molzen of Johnson township, he had been to attend the funeral of his uncle, Peter Hansen.
Peter Hansen had attained the great age of ninety two years and was one of the oldest residents of the county. Until his last illness he was bright and virile to a degree and enjoyed the full possession of all his faculties. The Remsen Bell says of him: “Peter Hansen died at the home of his son-in-law John Tonsfeldt, in Meadow township, at 10 p.m. Sunday, March 25, at the high age of ninety-two years. The old gentleman had not been sick but had been sinking gradually under the load of his years. During the last six days of his life he was unconscious and he passed away without suffering.
Peter Hansen was born in Schleswig, Germany, on the 23rd day of December, 1814. In 1849, he married Anna Brix and in 1879, the couple came to the United States, settling in Benton county.
In 1886, they came from there to Plymouth county, retiring from the farm and they have since then made their home with Mr. and Mrs. Tonsfeldt in Meadow township, where on the 6th day of November Mr. and Mrs. Hansen celebrated their golden wedding surrounded by hundreds of neighbors. Two years later Mrs. Hansen died.
Their union had been blessed with seven children of whom one died in infancy, one resides in the old home in Germany and five live here.
Papa Hansen as he was familiarly called has been a successful business man and farmer and always stood high among his neighbors as a trusty and kind friend. His funeral which was Wednesday, March 2? was very largely attended.
His remains were laid to rest in the Remsen cemetery after services in the St. Paul church by Rev. W. Vehe.” – Le Mars Semi-Weekly Sentinel, April 3, 1906, page 3.