Hansen

Frederick HANSEN (1834 - 1907) my gg-grandfather

Frederick (Friedrich) HANSEN was born 21 Feb 1834, in Hollbüllhuus, Nordfriesland, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. His parents were Hans HANSEN, born in Germany, and Dorothea DELFS, born about 1798 in Dørpstedt (Dörpstedt), Nordfriesland, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.

His name was spelled Friedrich in his will, but he was Fred or Frederick in most American records. The date comes from his death record, and is consistent with other records. The birthplace comes from his son Henry's death certificate, and is also consistent with other records. Details below:

As with any ancestor with a common name, the difficulty is determining which records apply to our Frederick HANSEN. The exact birthdate appears of the death record and gravestone, and agrees well with other records, which ties these records together. The birthplace stated in Henry's death certificate is "Hoblbelhus, Germany" which can only be Hollbüllhuus, a very small village 2 km E of Schwabstedt, Nordfriesland, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. It was close to the boundary between Schleswig and Holstein. The 1845 Danish Census for Hollbüllhuus has Friedrich HANSEN, age 11, who must be our Frederick.

According to Frederick's death record, above, his father was H. HANSEN, also born in Germany.

Frederick's wife, Anna Christina SOENKE, was born in Schwabstedt, where her father was a prosperous farmer. Much more is known about Anna's ancestry than Frederick's. See the SOENKE page.

Hansens in Hollbüllhuus

Schwabstedt was located in the southern part of Nordfriesland, Schleswig, close to the border with Holstein. Schwabstedt had population 1,340 in 2020, and it was probably not much larger in the mid 19th Century, when it was called Svavsted.

The regions of Schleswig and Holstein were often claimed by both Germany and Denmark. Most places have both German and Danish names. The First Schleswig War in 1848-51 caused mass emigration to America and elsewhere.

The village of Hollbüllhuus had a few dozen families, so given that hint, it wasn't hard to find Friedrich HANSEN and family in the 1835, 1840 and 1845 Danish Censuses. These records are in bad shape, and I don't know how the transcribers at Ancestry managed, but the records seem consistent from one census to the next, and I think they are mostly accurate, although I can't verify it directly.

It was not unusual, in Denmark and northern Germany, for married women to be called by their maiden names, and sometimes the children would also take their mother's name. There were many HANSENs in Hollbüllhuus, probably all related.

The 1835 Danish Census had 27 households, with 134 individuals, in Hollbüllhuus. The first household listed had a family of 8, with head-of-household Carsten HANSEN, age 48 (1787). The second household, of 10, had Hans HANSEN, age 55 (1780). The youngest in this family was Friedrich HANSEN, age 1 (1834). The third household, of 5, had Claus TIMM, age 57 (1778), with wife Anna HANSEN, age 53 (1782). Since these families were listed consecutively, they probably lived close together, and since Carsten, Hans and Anna HANSEN were 48, 55 and 53, I suspect that they were siblings. Other heads-of-household were Christian HANSEN, widower, age 50 (1785), Marx HANSEN, age 49 (1786), and Anna Sophia HANSEN, widow, age 35 (1800). Also Johann PAULSEN, age 66 (1769) had a wife Dorothea HANSEN, age 71 (1764). Johann HANSEN, widow, age 74 (1761) was the oldest HANSEN.

In 1835, Hans HANSEN and his wife, Dorothea DETHLEFS, had 8 children living with them. The Danish word Børn means child, so I assume in this context it indicates the relationship of the children to the head-of-household. So all 8 are children of Hans, and probably also of Dorothea.

If Dorothea was 56, then she gave birth to Friedrich when she was about 55, which seems unlikely. Later censuses say she was born about 1798-9, so she was only 36-37 when Friedrich was born, but 13-14 when Christina was born. Maybe Dorothea was a second wife, and mother of the younger children?

Hans was a Landmand (farmer). I don't know if Johann was a boy or girl, as the name was used for both. I think Frauke is a girl's name.

In 1840, Hans and Dorothea had 6 children at home, including a daughter born after the previous census. Christina had left home, Johann was still there, Catherine and Hans Jr were absent, Hinrich was there, Frauke was called Fredericka, Anna and Friedrich were present.

The census taker in 1840 has also included addresses. The Hans HANSEN family lived at 9 Halbstaven in Hollbüllhuus. I think this refers to a building, not a street. Halbstaven roughly translates as "half staff". Hans' occupation was also Halbstavner. The word stavner translates as "spells". The Carsten HANSEN family, again listed immediately before Hans HANSEN, was at 8 Stavner, and Carsten's occupation was Stavner. The Claus TIMM/Anna HANSEN family, listed immediately after Hans HANSEN, is at 10 Halbstavner, and Claus was a Halbstavner.

In the 1845 Census, Dorothea was a widow, so Hans HANSEN died between 1840 and 1845. Dorothea's name was written DELFS, instead of DETHLEFS. Dorothea DELFS was born about 1798 in Dørpstedt (Dörpstedt), a village about 10 miles NE of Schwabstedt.

Their address was "Schwabstedt Dorf Hollbüllhuus 19 B Abnahmehaus Danmark". The word "Dorf" means "village". The German word "Abnahmehaus" translates as "acceptance house" and the other entries on the page seem to refer to buildings, not streets.

The Carsten HANSEN family lived at 18 Hufengebäude. The German word Hufengebäude translates as "hoof buildings". The Claus TIMM/Anna HANSEN family was at 20 Hufengebäude.

I think that Dorothea's maiden name was DELFS, not DETHLEFS, since it appears in her youngest daughter's marriage record:

Immigration

The 1900 US Census, dated 1 Jun 1900, says Frederick had been in the US 43 years, and immigrated to the US in 1856. If this is accurate, he immigrated between 2 Jun and 31 Dec 1856.

One Friedr HANSEN came to America on the Harmonia/Hammonia, departing from Hamburg, on 15 Mar 1858, and arriving in NY. His residence was Steinberg, a village about 50 km NE of Schwabstedt, in the district of Schleswig-Flensburg, in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany.

Anna Christina SOENKE was born in Schwabstedt, Schleswig-Holstein, on 24 Jun 1832. She came to America with her parents and siblings in 1853, landing in New Orleans. They crossed the ocean in a small boat, a journey that took six weeks. After a short stay in Missouri, they came to Davenport, IA.

Fred HANSEN with the SOENKEs in Scott County, IA

The 1860 US Census for Hickory Grove Township, Scott County, Iowa has Fred HANSEN as one of several farmhands in the SONGE/SONKE family. Anna is still listed with the surname SONGE.

Hickory Grove is about 5 miles NW of Davenport, Scott County, IA. See the SOENKE page.

Frederick married Anna Christina SOENKE on 15 Sep 1861 in Hickory Grove. Her name is badly misspelled in the marriage record, but I think it is the right one. He was 27 and she was 29. So it seems he married the farmer's daughter! Ironically, one of Frederick's farmhands would later marry his daughter, as well.

Frederick and Anna both came from Schwabstedt or nearby, so they undoubtedly knew each other before they emigrated.

Anna and Frederick were my great-great grandparents. (Anna was my Mother's Mother's Mother's Mother. Oh, brother!)

They had four children: Henry (born 1865), Caroline (1867), Laura (1870) and Annie (1872).

The Civil War Draft Registry shows that they were still in the Davenport area on 1 Jul 1863. I don't know if Frederick ever was a soldier, either in Schleswig or in Iowa. He was naturalized on 7 Nov 1864, in Davenport.

The Hansen Farm in Benton County, IA

In 1868, Frederick and Anna and their first 2 children moved about 80 miles west, and settled on a farm in Homer Township, Benton County, Iowa, just 2 miles north of Keystone.

The 1870 US Census has the family in Homer. Frederick has real estate valued at $3,000 and personal estate $1,650. That sounds like a good-sized farm for a 34-year-old farmer. Anna's sister Katherine SOENKE (1846 - 1924) lived with them.

The Atlas of Benton County, 1872, has a map of Homer Township, Benton County, which shows a 160 acre farm under the name F. Hansen, in the SW corner of the township. By 1901 the Hansen farm had expanded to include an adjoining 160 plot in Kane Township. In 1901 the farm was half in Homer Township and half in Kane Township. The 1900 US Census listed them in Homer, and the 1920 US Census had them in Kane. The 1930 Plat Map of Homer Township and Kane Township still show the HANSEN farm. (On these plat map pages, click the township names on the left.)

The HANSENs 1880 to 1917

In 1880 they had two farmhands: John TISCHER (1858 - ?) and John PIERCE (1863 - ?). The farm soon became one of the most prosperous in the area.

In 1895, the HANSEN family was still on the same farm, in Homer Township. All 4 children were grown, but still single. Caroline's son Carl, born in 1887, had joined the family.

In 1900, Frederick and Anna were still at the farm in Homer. Anna Jr had married and started a family of her own (see below). Henry and Laura were still single, still at home. Caroline was said to be divorced, possibly to explain the fact that she had a son. The census tells us that Anna had had 6 children, with all 6 still living, but that must be a mistake. She had 4 children. Also, Caroline had had 1 child, still living, clearly referring to Carl. Also with the family was Albert Krueger, a farmhand, who later married Laura HANSEN. Albert and Laura were my g-grandparents.

The Frederick HANSEN family was the 2nd listed in Homer Township. Family #4 was headed by John HANSEN, born Jan 1864 in Germany, immigrated in 1890. Possibly no relation?

In 1910 Anna was a widow, still living with her son Henry and daughter Caroline, and grandson Carl. The census taker has not filled in the marital status, but Henry, Caroline and Carl were still single. Also, Carl was Henry's nephew, not brother, and his mother was born in IA, not Germany. So the census taker has made a few mistakes.

Next listed was Anna's daughter Laura (HANSEN) KRUEGER and her family, including Nora KRUEGER, my grandmother. Laura's brother-in-law, Emil KRUEGER was living with them. They also had a 19-year-old boarder, who was a teacher. Henry, Albert and Emil were farmers, but Carl had no occupation.

Anna (SOENKE) HANSEN obituary

At an early hour last Saturday morning, Mrs. Frederick Hansen passed away at the home of her son, Henry Hansen, north of town, after an illness of two weeks. The immediate cause of her death was heart trouble.

Mrs. Anna Hansen was born Jul. 24, 1832 in Schwalbstedt (sic) Germany, and came to America in 1853, making her home at Davenport. Here, in 1860 she was united in marriage to Frederick Hansen, and to this union four children were born. In 1868 the family removed to Benton county where they settled on a farm in Homer township. The husband and father died Jul. 26, 1907. The children who survive the mother are Henry Hansen, Caroline Hansen and Mrs. Albert Krueger, all of Keystone, and Mrs. Anna Hansen of Hartley. She is also survived by one sister, Mrs. John Vogt of Stockton.

Funeral services were held from the home Tuesday afternoon, the services being in charge of Rev. C. H. Stauffacher of Cedar Rapids, and interment was made in the Keystone cemetery.

Out of town relatives who were in attendance at the last rites were a brother-in-law, Jacob Broders and sons Jacob, Ferdinand and William of Durant, a sister-in-law, Mrs. Catherine Soenke and son Carl and daughters Bertha and Emma of Walcott.

Mrs. Hansen was one of the most highly respected of the old residents of this community and enjoyed the friendship of a large circle of acquaintances.

The Belle Plaine Union (Belle Plaine, IA) Thursday , 14 Jun 1917, page 8

Descendants of Frederick and Anna

Friedrich HANSEN b: 21 Feb 1834 in Hollbüllhuus, Nordfriesland, Schleswig, Denmark, d: 26 Jul 1907 in Benton, IA, age 73
+ Anna Christina SOENKE b: 24 Jul 1832 in Schwabstedt, Nordfriesland, Schleswig, Denmark, m: 15 Sep 1861 in Hickory Grove, Scott, IA, d: 09 Jun 1917 in Benton, IA, age 84

......1. Henry HANSEN b: 30 Aug 1865 in Scott, IA, d: 20 Jun 1934 in Keystone, Kane, Benton, IA, age 68

......2. Caroline HANSEN b: 17 Sep 1867 in Davenport, Scott, IA, d: 30 May 1946 in Cedar Rapids, Linn, IA, age 78
...... + Thies Peter Emil THIESSEN b: 11 Apr 1867 in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, m: Jun 1886 in Benton, IA, d: 26 Jun 1944 in Oakland, Alameda, CA, age 77
.........i. Carl Henry HANSEN b: 20 Aug 1886 in Iowa, d: 14 Aug 1930, age 43

......3. Laura HANSEN b: May 1870 in Homer, IA, d: 24 Feb 1923 in Benton, IA, age 52
...... + Albert Karl KRUGER b: 13 Apr 1873 in Stradun bei Schonlanke, Prussia, m: 07 Nov 1902 in Keystone, Benton, IA, d: 17 May 1949 in Elberon, Tama, IA, age 76
.........i. Nora Wilhelmina KRUEGER b: 25 Jan 1904 in Keystone, Benton, IA, d: 30 Jun 1994 in State Center, Marshall, IA, age 90
......... + Milo William POSEKANY b: 23 Oct 1905 in Chelsea, Tama, IA, m: 26 Dec 1925 in Cedar Rapids, Linn, IA, d: 12 Jun 1961 in Elberon, Tama, IA, age 55
......... + Roy R. RYAN b: 16 Dec 1893, m: 04 Jun 1967, d: 16 Apr 1974 in Chelsea, Tama, IA, age 80
.........ii. Adele Caroline KRUEGER b: 28 Apr 1907 in Benton, IA, d: 29 Sep 1999 in Cedar Rapids, Linn, IA, age 92
......... + John Vencil "Jack" RIHA b: 27 Jan 1908 in Vining, Tama, IA, m: 09 Sep 1926 in Vining, IA, d: 16 Jun 1976, age 68
.........iii. Edwin F. KRUEGER b: 25 Jun 1905 in Benton, IA, d: 25 Mar 1967 in Forest River, Walsh, ND, age 61
......... + Margaret I. HOBBS b: 26 Apr 1893 in ND, m: 12 Jun 1931 in Aberdeen, Brown, SD, d: 12 Sep 1972 in Forest River, Walsh, ND, age 79
.........iv. Leonard Elbert KRUEGER b: 12 Dec 1908 in Benton, IA, d: 20 Nov 1985 in Olmsted, MN, age 76
......... + Edith Gunhild MALM b: 02 Sep 1908 in ND, d: 04 May 1991 in Wabasha, MN, age 82

......4. Annie HANSEN b: 29 Feb 1872 in Homer, Benton, IA, d: 08 Jan 1942 in Hartley, Obrien, IA, age 69
...... + George Peter HANSEN b: 02 Feb 1859 in Germany, m: 17 Feb 1897 in Vinton, Benton, IA, d: 14 Apr 1906 in Benton, IA, age 47
.........i. Albert Fred HANSEN b: 5 Aug 1898 in Hartley, O'Brien, IA, d: Jun 1978 in Hartley, Obrien, IA, age 79
......... + Alvina J. WEBBER b: 1905 in Sibley, Osceola, IA, m: 10 Aug 1931 in Waverly, Bremer, IA, d: 1999, age 91
.........ii. Eldo Henry HANSEN b: 16 Jul 1900 in Hartley, O'Brien, IA, d: 18 Feb 1980 in Hartley, Obrien, IA, age 79
......... + Anne M ORCHIN b: 1911, m: 20 Sep 1950 in Cook, IL, d: 1973
.........iii. Clara Helene HANSEN b: 25 Jul 1904 in Hartley, O'Brien, IA, d: 08 Oct 1978 in Grant, WI, age 74

1. Henry HANSEN was born 30 Aug 1865 in Scott County, IA, and died 20 Jun 1934 in Keystone, Kane, Benton, IA, age 68.

Henry never married, and had no offspring. He acquired a large farm in Oneida Townwship, Tama County, about 5 miles northeast of Clutier, but he was still known as Henry HANSEN, of Keystone. He retired from farming in 1918, at age 53, and held a sale on 3 Dec 1918.

Henry was indicted in 1900 for maintaining a nuisance; I'm not sure what that was about. (Belle Plaine Union, 1 Dec 1900) I don't think Henry was ever married, but there was an Anna HANSEN who filed for divorce from Henry HANSEN in Benton County, IA on 18 Nov 1912, on grounds of desertion. (Vinton Eagle, 8 Oct 1912, page 12)

By 1920 Henry, his sister Caroline, and her son Carl, had moved to Keystone. Henry owned the home, free of mortgage, on Fifth Avenue. All 3 were still single, and none had any employment. As in 1910, Carl was said to be Henry's brother, not nephew. This must have been a family secret.

Fifth Avenue is the main north-south street in Keystone, running through the west side of town. Keystone is 2 miles south of the HANSEN farm, and had population 558 in 1920.

The 1925 Iowa State Census has Caroline as head-of-household, still living in Keystone with Carl and Henry. They were still at the same address on Fifth Avenue, since they had several of the same neighbors as in 1920. Caroline was owner of the home, valued at $5,000 and insured for $3,500. Carl was a laborer, the others unemployed.

This census actually named the parents of each individual. We find that Carl's father was Emil HANSEN, born in Germany. Who was Emil? Also, Caroline was called a widow.

The 1930 US Census has Henry, Caroline and Carl, still in Keystone. They were still at the same address on Fifth Avenue. Henry still owned the home, now valued at $3,000. All were still single, and all unemployed. Carl was accurately listed as Henry's nephew.

2. Caroline "Lena" HANSEN was born 17 Sep 1867 in Davenport, Scott, IA, and died 30 May 1946 in Cedar Rapids, Linn, IA. She always lived with her parents, her brother Henry (above), and her son Carl, until her father died in 1907, her mother in 1917, Carl in 1930, and Henry in 1934.

Caroline was listed as single in all records except the 1925 Iowa State Census, and her death record, which say she was widowed. However, I believe she was briefly married.

Caroline married in Jun 1886 in Benton, IA, to Thies Peter Emil THIESSEN, known as Emil, born 11 Apr 1867 in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, died 26 Jun 1944 in Oakland, Alameda, CA, age 77. Caroline was 18 and Emil was 19 when they married. Emil had lived in Homer Township since immigrating at age 2.

The marriage didn't last long, as Caroline was back with her parents in the 1895 Iowa State Census (above), calling herself single, and Thies remarried to Bertha VANPASSEL on 3 Mar 1897 in Lyon County, IA. They lived in Lyon County, IA and moved to Oakland, CA after 1930.

Caroline and Emil had a son, Carl Heinrich THIESSEN, born 20 Aug 1886, in Homer Township. So Caroline was about 7 months pregnant when they married. Carl was known all his life as Carl Henry HANSEN, and Caroline was known as Caroline HANSEN.

Carl served in the military, in WWI. He suffered some kind of injury, possibly from exposure to gas, or shell shock, and he never regained his full health.

Carl HANSEN ran for Assessor in Benton County, on the Liberal ticket, in 1920. See the Vinton Eagle, 23 Mar 1920.

LAID TO REST WITH MILITARY HONORS

Funeral of Carl H. Hansen Held from Mother's Home Sunday Afternoon

The sudden death of Carl Hansen last Thursday morning was a shock to the entire community. It had been known for some time that Carl had been in failing health, in fact had never been as well as formerly since his discharge from the army eleven years ago, but no one considered his condition as so critical. The ultimate cause of his death was Bright’s disease.

Carl Henry Hansen was born near Keystone Aug. 20, 1886 and at his death Aug. 14, 1930 lacked but a few days of being 44 years of age. All his life had been spent in Keystone and its immediate vicinity, making his home with his mother.

On Feb. 25, 1918, he joined the American forces in the World War, enlisting at Vinton and was assigned to the 129th Infantry, 33rd Division. He was sent to France with his regiment May 18, 1918, and remained in the foreign service until the first of May the year following. He received his final discharge from the army Jul. 24, 1919 at Ft. Sheridan.

He was one of the organizers and charter members of Magnus A. Merkel Post, American Legion, and had served both as adjutant and as commander of the post.

The funeral was held Sunday afternoon at the home of his mother, Caroline Hansen and was attended by a great number of friends throughout the community. The American Legion and Auxiliary attended the services in a body, six members of the post officiating as pall bearers.

The services were conducted by Rev. Geo. H. Stauffacher of Cedar Rapids who paid a worthy tribute to the sterling character of the deceased. Floral emblems were in profusion, among them being a wreath sent from Beaumont, Texas by friends and former buddies in the service.

At the cemetery the full burial ritualistic service of the Legion was exemplified in charge of Chaplain Chas. Balhorn, assisted by Rev. Stauffacher, a parting salute was fired by a corps of riflemen and the farewell taps sounded by a bugler.

Among those from out of town who came here for the final service were Mrs. Wm. Soenke and son Albert and daughter Ella and Mr. and Mrs. Hans Peterson of Davenport, J. H. Broders of Durant, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Soenke and Mrs. Anna Puck of Walcott, Mrs. Herman Grass, Mrs. Anton Posekany and son Frank, Mrs. Fred Pruska, John and Joe Stanek of Chelsea, Mrs. Annie Hansen of Chicago, Albert Krueger and son Leonard, Mrs. Milo Posekany and children and Miss Edith Malm of Jud, N.D., and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Riha and son of Vining.

The Keystone Bulletin (Keystone, IA) Wednesday, 20 Aug 1930, page 1 col 1

The 1940 US Census has Caroline living alone in Keystone, age 72, single.

Caroline shares a gravestone in Keystone Cemetery with her son, Carl.

Caroline outlived her parents, siblings, and her only child. She was survived by 3 nieces and 4 nephews.

3. Laura HANSEN was born May 1870 in Homer, Benton, IA, and died 24 Feb 1923 in Benton, IA, age 52. She married on 7 Nov 1902 in Keystone, Benton, IA, to Albert Karl KRUGER, born 13 Apr 1873 in Stradun bei Schonlanke, Prussia, died 17 May 1949 in Elberon, Tama, IA, age 76.

Albert had immigrated in 1892, and worked as a farmhand on the HANSEN farm. They were my great-grandparents. That's right - my great grandfather married the farmer's daughter! It's a family tradition.

Like Laura's parents, she and Albert had 4 children. They lived on a farm near Elberon, Tama County, IA, about 5 miles west of Keystone. There are more pictures of them on the KRUEGER page. One of their children was Nora KRUEGER, my grandmother.

I think this is Laura HANSEN in the foreground, having a picnic lunch, on the farm. I wonder what's in the jug? I don't know who the person in the white shirt is. Could it be Anna Christina (SOENKE) HANSEN? The chubby fellow standing in the background is not recognizable because of some kind of double exposure. There is an arm coming out of his head, holding a bucket. At any rate, it's clear that they're all having a good time!

4. Annie HANSEN was born 29 Feb 1872 in Benton County, IA, and died 8 Jan 1942 in Hartley, Obrien, IA.
She married on 17 Feb 1897 in Vinton, Benton, IA, to George Peter HANSEN (no known relation), born 02 Feb 1859 in Germany, died 14 Apr 1906 in Benton, IA.

They lived in Hartley, Iowa, which is in the northwest part of the state. Today it's about a five hour drive from Benton County, but back then it would have been more than a day's journey. They had three children. George died at age 47, after only 9 years of marriage. Annie lived to almost 70.

The 1900 US Census has Annie with her husband and first child, in Hartley. George Peter HANSEN had immigrated in 1881, and was a naturalized citizen. He had a mortgage on the farm.

Clara Helene HANSEN, daughter of Annie and George, earned a Master's Degree at the University of Wisconsin in 1942. Her thesis title was "Health instruction in the junior high school curriculum." Clara was director of women's physical education at Wisconsin State Teachers College, Platteville.

In these individual portraits, from Ludwig Studio, Keystone, the three HANSEN sisters look very much alike, to me. (My wife says she can tell them apart.) However, in the group picture of all four, above, they look quite different. I'm guessing that the individuals were taken around 1890, when the sisters were 18, 20 and 23, and the group portrait maybe 1920, when they were 48, 50 and 53, and Henry was 55. Since Laura died in 1923, it can't have been later than that.

Please look at the unidentified photos here and here and here.

Sources

1930 Atlas of Benton County, IA

Belle Plaine, IA newspaper archive

Last updated 20 Nov 2022.

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