California Biographies

Source: History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of 
the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with 
its growth and development from the early days to the present (1919)

History By Paul E. Vandor 
Illustrated, Complete In Two Volumes 
Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1919
 
Notes: Missing+page1185-1186

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm


CHRIS THOMPSON HANSEN. � A thoroughly experienced and well- 
informed ranchman, who is as liberal as he is enterprising, and enjoys the 
pleasing reputation of having a heart as large as an ox, is Chris Thompson 
Hansen, who first reached California through the Golden Gate in the spring 
of 1909. He was born at Bregninge, the island of Ero. Denmark, on June 29, 
1890. and grew up on the dairy farm of his father. Hans Hansen. Thus his 
real name was Chris Thompson Hansen, but owning to the number of per- 
sons by that name, he early abandoned the full title and is known through 
his two Christian prefixes. 

After having attended the excellent Danish schools until he was four- 
teen years of age, Chris began to paddle his own canoe, and by April, 1909, 
landed in New York City, brimful of the laudable ambition to work out his 
destiny and attain his fortune in the American republic. Having reached San 
Francisco, he had his steps directed to Newman in this state, where he 
worked awhile at dairying, but it was only for a couple of years, a still better 
field awaiting him. 

In 1911, having heard of the undeveloped resources and the greater op- 
portunities at Tranquillity, Mr. Thompson moved here and purchased thirty 
acres of land. It was decidedly raw and not overinviting to the eye. but he 
was not discouraged because he had to put the first plow into it. He leveled 
and checked, and then planted the acreage to alfalfa ; and there, fortified by 
considerable experience and much natural ability, enabling him both to for- 
see and to adapt, as well as to apply the latest word in science, he has con- 
tinued dairying and poultry-raising. 

Mr. Thompson has been, in fact, phenomenally successful in keeping his 
valuable place in excellent shape, and on this account he is widely esteemed 
by all who know him, and no one better deserves the good will of the com- 
munity. California may well congratulate Denmark on the quality of the 
sons she has sent out to the Golden State, prominent among whom must 
be mentioned Chris Thompson.