HAMOR H. HANSON, who devotes his time and attention to agricultural
pursuits on section 17, Murphysboro Township, Jackson County, was born on a
farm near Carbondale, October 10, 1847. His father, Abram M. Hanson, was a
native of England, born March 19, 1815. He married Catherine Hiller,
daughter of Simon Hiller, who was a soldier of the Revolutionary War. In
1829, he emigrated to Illinois, and settled two miles southwest of
Carbondale, where he made a permanent location. Throughout his remaining
days he followed preaching and farming.
Abram M. Hanson came to this
state the same year and opened up a new farm in Carbondale Township. He
there continued to reside until 1860, when he removed to another farm that
comprised two hundred and fifteen acres of good land. To its further
development and cultivation he devoted his energies throughout his remaining
days. He lost his first wife October 20, 1847. They were the parents of five
children, three of whom are now living. After her death he was three times
married, and now has nine living children. Two of his sons were soldiers in
the late war. Mr. Hanson was a member of the Episcopal Church. His death
occurred July 23, 1886, and his loss was mourned throughout the community.
H. H. Hanson spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon his
father's farm, and October 11, 1864, he responded to the country's call for
troops, becoming a member of the Eighty-first Illinois Infantry. He was then
only seventeen years of age. He joined the regiment at Jefferson Barracks,
St. Louis, Mo., and with it was assigned to the command of Gen. A. J. Smith.
After participating in the battle of Nashville, the troops followed Hood to
Eastport, Tenn., and later took part in the battles of Mobile, Spanish Fort
and Montgomery, Ala. When the war was over, Mr. Hanson received an honorable
discharge, and was mustered out October 11, 1865.
On September 16,
1866, occurred another important event in the life of our subject, his
marriage with Miss Margaret Josephine Crowell, a daughter of Evin A. and
Catherine (Long) Crowell. The former was born in North Carolina, January 10,
1813, and the latter in the same state, August 11, 1814. In 1844 they
removed to Tennessee, and in 1860 came to Illinois, locating in Carbondale
Township, where the mother died April 19, 1874. The father departed this
life February 2, 1891. They were the parents of eleven children, nine of
whom are still living. They held membership with the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and were highly respected citizens.
Mrs. Hanson was born in
North Carolina, December 22, 1843, and was educated in the common schools.
Upon their marriage they located upon their present farm, and their home has
been blessed by the presence of seven children, four of whom are yet living.
Abram A., who was born June 16, 1867, married April 4, 1889, Minnie
Etherton, by whom he has two children; they reside upon the home farm. James
Sylvester, who was born November 17, 1869, and is still living on the old
homestead, wedded July 14, 1889, Hattie Etherton, by whom he has three
children; Hattie C. was born August 30, 1871, and Maggie Nora was born
January 18, 1879.
The parents of this family are both members of the
United Brethren Church, taking an active part in church work. They
contribute liberally to its support, and Mr. Hanson is now serving as
Trustee. He has been a member of the .School Board for twenty years and
labors untiringly in its interest. He is also a prominent member of Worthen
Post No. 128, G. A. R., of Murphysboro. He takes an active interest in
politics and is a stanch supporter of the Republican party and its
principles. The community recognizes in him a valued citizen, who gives his
support and co-operation to every enterprise calculated to prove of public
benefit. Recently he visited the old family graveyard, where lie the remains
of his grandfather, Abram Hanson, and great-grandfather, Sylvester Hanson,
it being worthy of note that so many generations are buried in the same
cemetery.
Extracted 28 Aug 2019 by Norma Hass from 1894 Biographical Review of Jackson, Massac, Pope, and Hardin Counties, Illinois, pages 586-589.