Hansen Photos

My father's family, the Hansen's, came to America with the great wave of Danish immigration of the early 20th century. They probably came for many of the same reasons as other emmigrants - economic opportunity, religious pluralism and the chance for a generally better life. Hans Hansen arrived through Ellis Island on April 19, 1911. Apparently he spent some time with a brother who was living in New York. My father, Frank, and the rest of the family joined Hans in January of 1912. They settled in central Iowa around Fort Dodge and Webster City and for the most part they've remained, grown and thrived in the Midwest to the present day. Hardy Scandinavian stock! Sadly, one of Hans' brothers, Marinus Hansen, died in France during World War I fighting with the American Expeditionary Forces.

The earliest Hansen descendant we’ve found is Jens Nielsen, born in 1785 in Viborg, Denmark. Viborg dates back to 8th century viking settlements.

Anders Christian Andersen, my maternal great grandfather, born in 1853.

Soren Christian Frederiksen and Ane Kristine Larsen, second great grandparents.

Back row, L to R - Great Grandmother Ane Marie Justesen Thryso with (baby) Great Aunt Marie Elizabeth Hansen, Great Aunt Katherine Louise Hansen, Great Grandfather Andreas Hansen, Grandfather Hans Hansen. Front Row L to R - Great Uncle Christian Eljer Hansen and Great Uncle Marinus Hansen. This photo was probably taken in Aalborg, Denmark, around 1891/92.

Great grandmother Frederikke Frederiksen, with daughters Eleanora, the eldest and my paternal grandmother, and Gudrun, and Nanny, the youngest. There was also a son, Solomon, who died in infancy. Gudrun and Nanny both passed away at five years of age. Only Grandma Eleanora lived a long life, passing away in 1970 and the age of eighty six.

Anna Maria Thryso and Andreas Hansen - my great Grandma and Grandpa Hansen

The ship Oscar II that brought the Hansen family to the United States. My grandfather Hans passed through Ellis Island in 1911 followed on January 11, 2012 by his wife Eleanora, son Frank (my dad), and daughters Ella, Jessie, and Gudrun (aka Gertrude).

My Granduncle Marinus Hansen.

The home where my father was born - Absalonsgade 4, Aalborg, Denmark

Marinus’ grave marker in France

Eleanora Christine Andersen and Hans Peter Hansen, my paternal grandmother and grandfather. Both were born in Denmark and emigrated to the United States. Hans arrived in 1911 and Eleanora and children followed in 1912.

Christian Hansen and Frank Hansen, perhaps taken during their time together when the family was staying in Geneva, New York.

My dad, Frank Dane Hansen, with sisters Victoria (on his lap), Ella and Jessie. He was one of nine children and this picture was taken (probably in Geneva, New York) a few years after they arrived in the US.

My father’s sister - Gertrude Minne Hansen Harris, my cousin Robert Harris and his father, David Harris. This was taken sometime around 1935.

Ella Elizabeth Hansen and her brother Frank Hansen - circa early 1920's. This was probably taken on the family’s farm in Fort Dodge, Iowa. Frank was the oldest child, Ella the second oldest. She did much to hold the family together through some tough times. She was a loving sister, a businesswoman and, like all the Hansen girls, hard working and full of energy. When she and the family first arrived in Fort Dodge, she recalled how frightened she was of the wolves howling on the Iowa prairies. Reflecting at age eighty on their early days in America, she commented "there was an awful lot of sadness in the beginning. It makes an old lady out of you when you're ten years old." Despite the trials, she said "I'm happy with being here, it's been good to me. I'm glad I'm here, you're damn right!"

Hans Hansen at the grave of Marinus Hansen, his brother who died in France during the First World War.

Hans Hansen - my Grandpa Hansen. I met him but, unfortunately, too early to remember. Before coming to the US he was a highly ranked wrestling champion in Denmark. Unable to leave Denmark after the Nazi occupation, he was active in the Danish underground movement, gathering important information on munitions dumps and aircraft installations. The Swiss government arranged for his passage back to the United States.

My dad at the Eugene Field Memorial, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago. Taken in 1937.

My Dad and his mother, Grandma Hansen. I think he was her favorite, but I'll never know for sure. He was her first born. I think this photo must have been taken sometime in the 1930's.

Left to right - Mrs. Floyd Hansen, Frank Hansen and Dorothy Dane on their wedding day June 29th, 1940 in Fort Dodge, Iowa

Frank Dane, Hans Hansen and me - circa 1943

My dad at home in Half Day, Illinois. Not exactly sure of the date, but sometime in the early to mid 1940’s.

Aunt Jane, my Dad and Eleanora Christina Andersen, my Grandma Hansen

Jessie Christa Hansen - my Aunt Jane

Eleanora Christina Hansen (née Andersen). My Grandma Hansen at home in Cambridge, Minnesota. Her early years in the U.S. were a struggle. She and her oldest daughters cleaned houses, took in laundry and collected coal from the railroad tracks to stay warm in the winter!

Frank Dane (Hansen), Eleanora Hansen and Art - taken at their farm in Cambridge, Minnesota in the early 1950's

My Uncle Floyd, Aunt Ella, my father Frank, and Aunt Gertrude together in Ella’s home in Fort Dodge, Iowa in 1958. Happy days!

My dad, taken sometime around 1950.

My dad and I at his favorite vacation spot - Minocqua, Wisconsin. He was an avid fisherman and we spent some memorable summers on the water.

My dad had a long and active career in the early days of radio and television, primarily in Chicago. I’m not sure of the date this photo was taken, but I’m guessing sometime in the mid to late 1940’s.