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Jasper County, Iowa
Historical and Genealogical Data Exchange
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George E. Hanson It
is with a great degree of satisfaction to the biographer when he reverts to the
life of one who has made the rough path of life smooth by his untiring
perseverance, has attained success in any vocation requiring definiteness of
purpose and determined action. Such
a life, whether it be one of calm, consecutive endeavor, or of sudden meteoric
accomplishments, must abound in both lesson and incentive and prove a guide to
the young men whose fortunes are still matters for the future to determine.
For many years George E. Hanson, well known and substantial stock man and
agriculturist of Clear Creek Township, Jasper County, has directed his efforts
toward the goal of success and by patient continuance has won pronounced
success. He has not only by his
industry, fair dealing and sound judgment improved a fine farm and gained a
competency, but has materially assisted in the general welfare of the community, in many ways lending his valuable time
and influence in the promulgation of various uplifting movements, consequently
he is eminently deserving of the high esteem in which he is universally held and
of the confidence reposed in him by all classes. Mr. Hanson was born on the farm where he
still resides in Clear Creek Township, on January 11, 1863, and here he has been
content to spend his life, gradually advancing himself from an humble beginning
to a position of ease and affluence, one of the most substantial men of the
Township, all through his individual, unaided efforts.
He is the son of Hans and Mary (Ashton) Hanson, the father born in
Norway, April 13, 1828, and the mother was born in Ohio; her death occurred at
Collins, Iowa, in October 1896. When
young in years the father came to America, locating in Iowa in an early day and
here spent practically the rest of his life.
He was a man of sterling traits, brave and a hard worker.
He was a member of the famous band of forty-niners and he crossed the
great western plains with an ox team to California, remaining in that state four
years, then went to Australia and remained there four years, returning to the
United States by way of Liverpool, England, thus circumnavigating the globe.
His death occurred at Collins, Iowa, on September 14, 1896.
His family consisted of seven children, four of whom are living, named as
follows: J. B. is deceased; George E., of this sketch; S. S. lives at Collins;
Mrs. Hulda Faucett, of Maxwell; Amos lives at Collins; William and Myrtle are
deceased. George E. Hanson grew up on
the home farm where he began working in the fields when but a boy, and during
the winter months he attended the public schools in his district.
He took up farming for a livelihood and when but a boy evinced an
especial bent toward cattle and feeds from five to six carloads yearly.
Today no better judge of cattle could be found than he. Mr. Hanson was married on
April 11, 1894, to Edna Rippey, who was born in Independence Township, this
County, on March 7, 1867. She is
the daughter of William and Ann (Arnsworth) Rippey, the father born in Kosciusko
County, Indiana, April 9, 1829, and the mother's birth occurred there on April
11th of the same year. They grew up
in their native community and were married in 1859.
Mr. Rippey was seventeen years old when, in 1854, he came to Iowa,
locating on a farm in Jasper County and was thus one of the early pioneers here;
however, he later returned to Indiana, but came back to this County during the
latter fifties and has since made his home here, living now at Ira.
He served with much credit in the Union army during the Civil War.
He devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, becoming one of the largest landowners and substantial
citizens of the County, owning at one time one thousand acres and he yet retains
six hundred acres, after giving considerable land to his children, of whom there
were eight, named as follows: Mrs. Fannie E. Lowe died in Idaho; Mrs. Elizabeth
A. Parker lives in Sherman Township, this County; Mrs. Martha Byal lives in
Clear Creek Township, Jasper County; Francis J. lives near the town of Ira, this
County; Frederick Grant and Mary are both deceased; Jessie M. is also deceased.
Mr. Rippey was again married in 1910 to Eva Blackwood, a native of this
County. Mr. Rippey is a well-known
and highly respected gentleman whom to know is to admire. To Mr. and Mrs. Hanson six
children have been born, namely: Harold, whose birth occurred January 1, 1895;
Grace, born March 31, 1896; Lars, born June 19, 1901; Louis, born August 30,
1902; Hollis, born October 7, 1907; James B„ born August 2, 1910. Politically, Mr. Hanson is a Republican and he has taken
considerable interest in local affairs. He
has served very acceptably as Township trustee and as a member of the local
school board. He and his wife are
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which they are liberal supporters. Mr. Hanson has been very successful in a
business way, laying by an ample competency for his declining years.
He is the owner of five hundred and thirty-three acres of choice,
productive and well-improved land in Clear Creek Township, eighty acres of
desirable land in Independence Township, this County, besides one hundred and
sixty acres in Texas. He has two
sets of excellent buildings on the land in Clear Creek Township.
His attractive, modern home, commodious barns and outbuildings make his
one of the finest country homes in Jasper County.
Everything about the place not only denotes good taste and careful
management, but thrift and prosperity, also.
He carries on farming and stock raising on an extensive scale. He maintains all the modern comforts and conveniences
in and at his home, such as an automobile, piano, etc., and his house is heated
with hot water, installed with gaslights and many other up-to-date appliances.
He is a director in the Exchange State Bank of Collins.
He is interested in Percheron horses, having at the head of his statues
the well-known "Bismark," No. 40689, American register. Owing to their
superior grade and quality, his fine horses never fail to bring fancy prices
when offered for sale. Personally, Mr. Hanson is a congenial,
liberal, broad-minded, unassuming gentleman whom it is a pleasure to know. The Past and Present of Jasper County, Gen. James B. Weaver, Editor-In-Chief, 1912 B.F. Bowen Co., Indianapolis, IN, p. 1211. |
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