A farm of one hundred and twenty acres pays tribute to the care and labor of August H. Hansen and, moreover, is the visible evidence of his life of well directed energy and thrift, for he started out on his own account empty-handed and met the situation of providing for his support entirely through his own efforts. His place is situated on section 16, Dayton township, and there he annually gathers good harvests which shows that his farm is well tilled.
A native of Germany, Mr. Hansen was born in Holstein on the 23d of December, 1873. His father, Claus Hansen, and his mother, Margaret (Miller) Hansen, also natives of that country, came to the new world in 1881 with Cedar county, Iowa, as their destination. They were induced to make the trip by the fact that a brother of Mr. Hansen was living here and gave good reports concerning the opportunities offered in this land. Claus Hansen worked as a farm hand by the month until he believed it possible to profitably carry on farm work on his own account and then rented land. He was continuously identified with general agricultural pursuits until his death, which occurred about 1895, while his wife passed away in 1892. Their family numbered two sons and four daughters: Chris, a resident farmer of Massillon township; Augusta, the wife of John Gills, of Lowden; Emma, the wife of Henry Peters, whose home is in this county; Alvina, the wife of William Beckmann, also following farming in this county; and Sophia, who married Charlie Krinbring.
The other member of the family is August H. Hansen, whose name introduces this review and who came to Iowa with his father when a lad of seven years. His youthful days were spent upon the home farm and the public schools afforded him his opportunity to master the common branches of learning. Yet he is largely self-educated, owing to the necessity that devolved upon him to earn his living at an early age. He worked by the month for several years and, ambitious to earn advancement, utilized every opportunity that promoted his interests.
On the 11th of October, 1900, Mr. Hansen was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Engelking, who was born in Germany and spent her girlhood days there. Their marriage has been blessed with four children: Henry J., Carl, Margaret and Elwood.
After their marriage Mr. Hansen rented a farm, upon which he lived for six years, and during that time carefully saved his earnings so that in 1906 he was able to purchase the property upon which he now resides, comprising one hundred and twenty acres of good land on section 16, Dayton township. He has further improved the property, which in its attractive appearance indicated his careful supervision and progressive methods. The interest of modern farm life are well represented in his place. He practices the rotation of crops and utilizes the latest improved machinery to facilitate the work of the fields.
While his life has been a busy one in his efforts to win success, at the same time he has cooperated in movements for the public good and his interest in the moral development of the community is shown in the fact that he is a member of German Evangelical church of Clarence, to which his wife also belongs. Politically, however, he is independent. Throughout Dayton township, where he is well known, he is familiarly called “Gus” Hansen and those who know him recognize the fact that in his life are exemplified many sterling traits of character, not the least of which are industry, perseverance and honorable dealing.
