Hansen, Peter 1855-1928 and Susan Konz Family

HANSEN, KONZ, STRENG, EVERLING

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 7/14/2022 at 19:25:12

Hansen, Peter 1855-1928 and Susan Konz Family

This BIOS of the Peter Hansen family was compiled by Wilma J. Vande Berg of the Greater Sioux County Genealogical Society, from several sources.

A family history taken from the St. Mary’s Catholic Church book of Alton, page 151.
Peter Hansen, son of Frank Hansen 1824-1909 and Margaretha Streng 1826-1909, was born in Kopstal, Luxemburg on February 5, 1855. He died 19 Oct 1928 Alton IA. He came to the United States with his parents in 1865, and later to Sioux county with the first settlers in May of 1870. He was 15 years old at that time.

Susan Konz, daughter of Math Konz 1822-1906 and Margaret Everling died 1863, Susan was born in Machtum, Luxemburg, on July 26, 1859. In 1866 she came to Jackson County Iowa with her family, and to Sioux County in May of 1870. She was about eleven years old when they arrived in Sioux County. Susan died 29 Nov 1946 Alton IA.

Peter Hansen and Susan Konz were married on February 25, 1879 and farmed two miles east of Alton until they retired to Alton, Iowa. Their son George, then farmed that homestead. This property is no owned by Anthony Pottebaum. Jr.

Peter Hansen and Susan Konz were the parents of fourteen children.
1 . Matthew Hansen was the oldest, and died 23 July 1893 at the age of 13.
2 . Frances Hansen 1881-1967 married John Klein, and they moved to Dell Rapids, SD
3 . Nick Hansen 1883-1969 married Margaret Klein, and farmed in the Alton area
4 . John P. Hansen 1884-1978 married Anna Kilburg and they farmed a short time at Dell Rapids, then in this area.
5 . Leo Hansen 1886-1963 married Margaret Mousel, and after her death was married to Ida Bricker. They farmed and lived in Dell Rapids, SD area.
6 . Mike Hansen 1888-1968 married Lucy Staab and they farmed the Frank Hansen Homestead.
7 . Anna Hansen 1889 married Matt Guckenberger of Dell Rapids, SD and they lived in that area.
8 . Peter J. Hansen 1891-1947 married Margaret Kilburg and after her death was married to Anne even, They lived in Alton
9 . Bernard Hansen 1893-1966 married Rose Staab, and after living for some time in this area, they moved to Whittemore, IA area.
10. Helen Hansen was born on March 11, 1895 and died that same day.
11. Odilo Hansen 1896-1918 entered the service of the U.S. Army in the first world War and died at camp during the flu epidemic of 1918.
12. George Hansen 1898 married Lena Wilwet, and they farmed the family homestead before moving into Alton
13. Mathilda Hansen 1901-1988 married John Schuver and moved to South Dakota, finally living in Parkston.
14. Clara Hansen 1904 married Victor Schneider and has lived in this area all her life.

Peter Hansen was an active member of St. Mary’s church until his death on Oct 19, 1928. After Peter died, on Sept 9, 1930, Susan Konz Hansen was married to Ferdinand Mousel. They continued to live in Alton. He passed away on March 21, 1937. Susan Hansen Mousel passed away on November 29, 1946.

Note: There are many more family stories of the Hansen family in the St. Mary’s Church book. Also check the site www.iagenweb.org/sioux for obits of family members as well as other family data.

OBITUARY of Peter Hansen 1855-1928 Alton Democrat of Friday Oct 26th 1928
Alton Pioneer Summoned To His Reward
Only three houses at Le Mars When Peter Hansen Sr. Came Here.

Peter Hansen, Sr. died at his home at Alton at 9:40 p.m., Friday, October 19, at the age of 73 years, eight months and fourteen days. Twenty three years ago he took sick with diabetes. He with his wife went to Waukesha, Wisconsin, where they learned a special diet prescribed for those suffering with that disease. Adhering strictly to this diet and with the wonderful care given to him by his devoted wife he got along nicely until last winter when he suffered with ulcer behind the eye. He underwent a successful operation on December 24, 1927 and after that was around as usual until the forepart of July when an infection set in on his foot which finally caused his death.

Mr. Hansen was born in Kobstel, Luxemburg, Europe, February 5, 1855 and came to this country with his parents in 1865, the family settling in Jackson County, Iowa, where they lived five years.
In the spring of 1870 his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hansen, and the five children, of whom Mr. Hansen was the second oldest, set out for western Iowa with a large group, the party numbering 42 and having seven covered wagons drawn by oxen with the usual accompaniment of livestock, cows, etc. they arrived here safely in May.

Mr. Hansen, Sr., picked out a location in section 18. East orange township, located three miles southeast of the future site of Alton, for his homestead and the family located there. Fifty eight years later the farm is still in the Hansen family, now occupied by the grandson Mike Hansen.

For nine years Peter assisted his father breaking the sod and going through the innumerable hardships those early pioneers experienced. Neighbors were few and far between and the nearest place for worship and provisions was Le Mars which had only three houses at the time.

He was untied in marriage to Miss Susan Konz, who had also come with her parents from Jackson County with the prairie schooner train in 1870, on February 18, 1870 at Hospers where there was a small Catholic church at that time. Father Meis drove a team up from Le Mars to officiate at the wedding. Mr. and Mrs. Hansen calibrated their silver wedding anniversary in 1904. The description of this occasion and the early life of the pioneers was written so graphically by Editor C. B. Wolf that it is appended at the end of this article. They would have celebrated their golden anniversary next Feb 18 if
Mr. Hansen’s life had been spared.

After their marriage they located on a farm three miles east of Alton where they lived until they moved to Alton 13 years ago. Eleven children and their mother survive to mourn his death, also, one sister, Sister Euphrasia of St. Louis Missouri. The children who have gone before were, Math.. who died at the age of 13. Helen, who died in infancy, and Odilo, who died while in the Country’s service during the World War. The surviving children are as follows:

Frances, Mrs. J. Klein; Anna, Mrs. Math Guckenberger; Mathilda, Mrs. John Schuver; and Leo all living at Dell Rapids SD; Nic, John, Mike, Peter J., George, and Clara Mrs. Victor Schneider, all of Alton; and Ben of Oyens. There are forty one grandchildren.

Mr. Hansen’s faith in this prairie country was second to none. In spite of the vicissitudes of the early life; notwithstanding the grasshopper scourge which swept the crops clean season after season in the late 70’s while he was helping his father in making the new land produce crops, he kept on and in 1879 got married, settled on a farm and about 1882 he purchased a farm for $7.50 per acre. Later he bought more land and as he was financially able still more, acquiring in all more than two sections in this county and also some land near Dell Rapids, SD

With great foresight he foresaw the great development of this country and its future prosperity. Coming here at the age of 15 when not an acre of prairie sod in this section of the county had been broken; helping to build one of the first crude homes in the county, material being hauled from Le Mars, 10 miles away, over no trail, fording the Floyd River which was bigger in those days, to get to the small settlement at Le Mars which even had no railroad at that time; no one but Indians roaming the prairie; it stirs the blood to think of the times he lived in, growing up with the country.

And in later days he was one of the most progressive and intelligent citizens of the community. He lived in the present and future but could describe in delightful fashion incidents of the early days. His friendship was a thing of value as many by whom his kindness has been felt feel his passing keenly.

Mr. Hansen was a devoted member of St. Mary’s parish here. He helped in its beginning and aided tremendously in its growth. In every way he was an asset to the community, and everyone who knew him felt sorrow when, after many days hovering between life and death, the pioneer passed to his reward.

Funeral services were conducted Monday morning at St. Mary’s church, conducted by Rev. Father Hausmann, who was assisted by Rev. Klein of Oto and Rev. Rolfes of Oyens. Interment was made at St. Mary’s cemetery six of the sons acting as pall bearers.

(Following two paragraphs in the obit listed the large number of people from far away at the services were the following…..

SILVER WEDDING FEB 18, 1904 (from the Alton Democrat of February 20, 1904)
(note the name Konz was spelled Kontz in this article, left as it was)

Twenty five years ago one chilly February day a little cavalcade of half a dozen vehicles must have been seen wending its way across the road-less and fence-less and windswept and snow covered prairies from southeast of Alton to a little Catholic church which stood at Hospers the only one for miles around. It was one of the earliest wedding processions in Sioux County and the timorous coyote sunning himself in the shelter of an occasional stack of prairie hay looked on with interest.

Ten years before two families had moved from eastern Iowa and settled the wild prairies of the county of Sioux southeast of Alton. They were the families of Nic Hansen and Matt Kontz. People were neighborly in those days for neighbors were few and far between. The children of the two families grew up together and it was therefore quite natural that when Peter Hansen was twenty four years old he should turn to his neighbor’s home and ask Susan Kontz the girl of twenty to be his bride. And that accounts for the cavalcade which wound its way across the plains that winter’s day a quarter century ago.

Few but the families of the bride and groom were there when Father Meis made the happy young folks one. Twenty five years have come and gone and it is two years since the reverend passed to his reward. But had that day’s work been his only deed his life would not have been in vain for the union has been a singularly fortunate and happy one. Back to the home of the groom the procession wound its way and there for two days and nights the whole country round were feasted and entertained. A third day was spent in similar merrymaking at the bride’s hospitable home. There might have been more days but tired nature demanded sleep. It was one of the biggest wedding celebrations ever held in the new country and everybody came for miles around.

Alton’s first band led by Alex Beach was there. Alex is a Sioux City merchant now. He played the fiddle while the bride and groom danced. Another member of the band was John Pfeffer now an Idaho ranch-man. Henry Goebel and John and Guy Gleysteen were others. Guy is today the leader of the Alton Military Band of thirty pieces. Old Nic Reiter was there and Pat Allen and Mike Kinney and Peter Wagner and Nick Koob and John Gaul and others.

Then there was a crowd down from Hospers to shevelrie them. Jolly old John Glessner was in the bunch so was Peter Schnee and John Selig now of Arkansas. They stayed all night and all next day. Such was the hospitality of those days. The tables were always set and the ‘pump’ was always handy.

That was twenty five years ago last Monday and once more on this anniversary day the bride and groom stood before the altar at Saint Mary’s church in Alton and renewed their vows. Twenty five years of work and wonderful change. Few remained to help Pete and Susan celebrate the twenty fifth anniversary of that long gone by event on Monday last. Those few found the time had been busy with both bride and groom as well as with themselves. For when those three days ended a quarter century ago Pete and Susan took account of their stock in trade and found they had only willing hands and loyal hearts.

They went to work and the showing they were able to make to their friends after twenty five years on Monday last was a good one. It consists of 500 acres of the best land the sun ever shown upon, a fine residence and barns full of grain and livestock and above all 12 children. And they are children to be proud of too – eight boys and four girls- with out a weakling in the bunch. And besides twenty five years have brought a host of friends who were present to help in the calibration and enjoy the hospitality. It is needless to say the old friends were rejoiced by the evidences everywhere of prosperity.

A house full of guests spent the day reviewing the events of former years. At noon they sat at a table loaded with the fat of the land. There is nothing too good for you at the home of Pete Hansen and his good wife. Pete’s mother was there from Le Mars. She was seventy nine years old. His father lives at the age of eighty two but couldn’t be present. The old folks were married fifty three years ago. Mrs. Hansen’s father Matt Kontz of Alton was also there. He is seventy nine years old also.

St. Mary’s choir was out all afternoon and evening and sang many songs both grave and gay. In the evening the along, the Military Band went out and rendered several beautiful selections.
The house was crowded with young and old from town and country. There was feasting and merriment. The day was one of happiness for everyone present. Many pretty gifts were received and all in all it was a day long to be remembered both by the Hansen household and the guests.

May Pete and Susan Hansen live to calibrate another twenty five years of wedded life and may they be as blessed ones as the twenty five gone by is the wish of all who know them.

OBITUARY of Susan Konz Mrs. Peter Hansen, Mrs. Ferdinand Mousel
Source: Alton Democrat (12-5-1946) Born: July 28, 1859 Died: 1946
MRS. FERDINAND MOUSEL--- PIONEER SETTLER OF ANTON PASSES--- CAME BY COVERED WAGON AND OX TEAM IN 1870
Mrs. Susan Hnsen Mousel nee Susan Konz, the last survivor of a group of 42 pioneers who came to this vicinity by covered wagon in 1870, passed on at St. Bernard’s Hospital in Council Bluffs at four o’clock Friday afternoon following a brief illness. She was 87 years, 4 months and 5 days of age.
Mrs. Mousel was born in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Europe July 26, 1859, and came to this country with her parents in 1865. The family settled in Jackson County, Iowa where they lived for five years. In the spring of 1870 at the age of 11 she accompanied her parents to Sioux County to make a home on the prairie, the party traveling to the southeastern part of the county by covered wagon and teams of oxen. February 18, 1879 Miss Konz was married to Peter Hansen whose family came in the same caravan. The wedding took place in a small Catholic Church in Hospers. Father Meis of Le Mars driving there from Le Mars to perform the ceremony.
After their marriage the couple located on a farm three miles east of Alton where they lived until they moved to Alton 13 years before Mr. Hansen’s death in October, 1928. September 9, she was married to Ferdinand Mousel and resided at Alton until his death.
Mrs. Hansen was the devoted mother of 14 children, of whom 11 survive, residing in this vicinity and at Dell Rapids, South Dakota. They are Frances (Mrs. John Klein), Nicholas, John, Leo, Mike, Anna (Mrs. Guckenberger), Peter J., Bernard, George, Mathilda (Mrs. Schuver) and Clara (Mrs. Victor Schneider).
She was preceded in death by her husband and 3 children: Mathew, 13, Helen, in infancy and Odilo who died in the service of his country in World War I. She was a Gold Star Mother of this war. Also surviving are 63 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Mousel was a charter member of the Rosary Society of St. Mary’s Church and long active in church and community work. Her passing closes the notable career of perhaps the last of the pioneer mothers in the county, for as far as we know she was the earliest living pioneer settler, most of the pioneers having come a year or two later.
Funeral services were held Monday morning in charge of Very Reverend Neppel, with interment in St. Mary’s Cemetery. Six grandsons were pallbearers. Many long time friends from neighboring towns were present besides those from Anton.

This picture appeared in the St. Mary’s church book page 151.

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