Nels P. Hanson

Nels P. Hanson was born November 20, 1870, in Clinton County, near Grand Mound, Iowa. He attended school there, and helped his father with the farm work as he grew up. When he was twenty years old, his father died, and he had charge of his father's farm for one year. From then on he rented land in the vicinity, and later became owner of eighty acres of land in Dickinson County, Iowa.

In 1895, he married Ellen Mathiason, who was a native of Dickinson County. In the month of January, 1902, he came to North Dakota in search of land. He bought the South ½ of section 25 - 138 - 58 from George Larsman. There was no house on the place, so for several months, Hanson and his family lived in the granary until a house was built.

Mrs. Hanson passed away in 1904, leaving her husband with four small children. They were Arthur, Esther, Josie and Carl. They were all born in Iowa except Carl. Arthur (married to Palma Hendrickson of Kathryn, North Dakota) farms near Nome, North Dakota; Esther, Mrs. Chris Klay, lives in Withee, Wisconsin; Josie, Mrs. Carl Breske (Carl is deceased) lives in International Falls, Minnesota; Carl passed away in 1928. He was married to Norma Peterson of Nome.

In 1905, Nels P. Hanson married Petra Saugestad, who was born in 1877 near Trondheim, Norway. She came to America in 1902 and stayed at her brother's home (John Saugestad) for a while. Nine children were born to this couple:

  1. Effie, Mrs. Herman B. Haugen, Valley City;

  2. Stanley (deceased);

  3. Stella, Minneapolis, Minnesota;

  4. Ruth (Mrs. Martin Thoreson (deceased);

  5. Palma (deceased);

  6. Hazel  (deceased);

  7. Nels of Minneapolis;

  8. Randolph (married to Kathleen Mennis), Kathryn, and

  9. Eleanor (Mrs. Rudy Rydholm), Dassel, Minnesota.

In 1945, Nels P. Hanson retired from active farming and moved to Valley City, where he bought a home. Mr. Hanson passed away in April, 1953. Their son, Randolph, rented the farm for several years and bought it in 1954. At the present time, Randolph's son-in-law is renting the farm. Since September, 1954, Mrs. Hanson has made her home with her daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Herman B. Haugen, Valley City, North Dakota.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 94