Olmsted County MINNESOTA Biographies.....Jens Peter Hansen January 1 1850 - 
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File contributed for Minnesota Biographies Project by:
Mike Oiseth MOISETH@mn.rr.com March 10, 2005, 9:33 am

Author: Joseph Leonard, History of Olmsted County, Minnesota

JENS PETER HANSEN was born January 1, 1850, in Gudbjerg, Fyen, Denmark,
where he grew to maturity, receiving his education in Brandskov school,
and later learning the mason's trade. In 1872 he immigrated to America,
landing in Portland, Maine, March 26, continuing his journey westward
till he reached Rochester, Minnesota, April 4. He then went to Salem
township, where he secured a position on a farm with P. D. A. Keel. At
this time Mr. Hansen had in his possession only $11, and $10 of this he
loaned to another man who evidently was poorer than he. So with $1 of
the good American currency he went to work for Mr. Keel. The following
winter he went to school in a little country schoolhouse; that was the
first of his American education. In the spring of 1873 he began to work
at this trade, building a large brick house for Mr. Keel, his former
employer. July 11, 1874, he married Miss Johanna Rasmussen, who had
emigrated from Denmark in May, the same year, she being from the same
city that he was. Rev. A. J. Thorson, of Rock Dell, united them in holy
wedlock, and at that time they joined the East St. Olaf's Church, of
which he was pastor. Mr. Hansen and his wife then started their first
home on a fifteen-acre tract of timber land which he rented from his
brother-in-law, Mr. Lars Rasmussen, paying $75 for five years. On this
he erected a small stone house about sixteen feet square. Here he lived,
clearing this piece of land and at the same time continuing his trade.
One baby boy came to bless the home, born July 8, 1875, named Hans
Peter. In 1876 Mr. Hansen built a brick house for Mr. D. Beecher, now
owned by the famous Doctors Mayo. One year later he bought sixty acres
of land adjoining that which he had rented, on which there was only
three and one-half acres cleared, the rest being timber land. In the
fall of 1877 Mrs. Hansen was taken seriously ill and had to submit to an
operation for cancer. Dr. Lewis Pond, of Aurora, Illinois, performed the
operation very successfully and she became well again and made their
home happy and cheerful. At the time of her sickness it was quite hard
for Mr. Hansen, as he had just saved enough money to buy a team of
horses, but instead had to pay it out for doctor bills. But he always
looked on the bright side of life, and that is the only way a man will
ever succeed. In 1880 he built a nice little home on his own farm, a
stone house 16X22 feet. He continued buying land adjoining the sixty
acres until he owned 196 acres. It was all covered with timber, with the
exception of forty acres, and all this he cleared in a few years,
grubbing most of it by hand.

"He then began making improvements on buildings. Another addition was
built to the house, making a large, comfortable home, then a granary and
barn, improving all buildings as they stand today. In 1882 a little girl
was born to help make life more bright and was named Anna Caroline. For
several years the happy couple prospered and watched their children grow
up and educated them in the common school. In the fall of 1898 he bought
a house in the city of Rochester. The following spring his son was
married to Miss Johanna Holm, and then he turned the farm over to him
and moved with the rest of his family to Rochester, occupying the house
he had bought there, and remodeled it. He took up his trade again of
bricklaying and plastering, and for four and one-half years they were
happy in their new home, when Mrs. Hansen was taken sick and after a
brief illness entered into rest January 1, 1904. This was a great loss
to the little devoted family, for she possessed a most beautiful
Christian character and was ever a true wife and loving mother. The
daughter resumed the duties of housekeeping and is making a pleasant
home for her father. Again in 1909 he remodeled his house, putting in
all modern improvements, now having a nice and cosy home, and at the age
of sixty years he is still working like a young man and looks do not
betray him, either. Two years ago he sold the farm to his son and does
not expect to farm any more, but will enjoy his home in the city of
Rochester.

Additional Comments:
Joseph Leonard, History of Olmsted County, Minnesota: together with sketches of many
of its pioneers, 
citizens, families, and institutions. Chicago: Goodspeed Historical Association,
1910.

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