California Biographies Mendocino and Lake Counties, California Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California With Biographical Sketches History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry Illustrated, Complete In One Volume Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914 HENRY HANSEN. � Honorable business methods and a thorough knowledge of the plumbing industry have enabled Mr. Hansen to reach a leading position in his line of work, not only in his home city of Ukiah, but also in the entire county, where the skilled quality of his workmanship has met and conquered the most difficult tasks. His high occupative standing becomes especially noteworthy when it is remembered that he has been a resident of Ukiah for a comparatively brief period only, for it was not until 1910 that a search for a permanent location brought him hither. A brief period of employment by the month convinced him that Ukiah has flattering business possibilities, hence in 1911 he decided to engage in a plumbing business of his own. Since then he has built up the leading business of his line in the county and has taken orders for heating plants and sheet-metal work, as well as filled contracts for plumbing and gas-fitting. Among his contracts were those for the City Hall, the Carnegie library. Victory opera house, Gibson building and the Hudson, Cunningham and J. J. Thomas resi- dences. Although a resident of California from his earliest recollections, Henry Hansen is of German birth and was born at Adenrade, Schleswig, January 25, 1876, being the second child and eldest son of Nis and Sophia Hansen, who were born in Schleswig and died in Napa county. The family numbered eight children and five of these are still living. The father, a hard-working man of little education and few advantages, went to the sea in boyhood and for years followed the life of a sailor, but in 1878 he brought the family to Cali- fornia and took up farm pursuits near San Leandro, Alameda county. Un- familiar with the customs and language of the new country, unacquainted with agricultural affairs, he found the task of maintaining the family extremely difficult and the eldest son, Henry, at the age of eleven years, was obliged to leave school to assist in the general maintenance. After four years in a cotton mill at East Oakland he entered upon an apprenticeship to the trade of plumber with an Oakland firm. Five years were devoted to acquiring a thorough knowledge of the trade and to gaining efficiency in every detail. At the expiration of the five years he entered upon work as a journeyman in Oakland, later in Napa. About 1905 he removed to Tulare county and em- larked in the dairy industry near Pixley, but in 1910 disposed of his interests in that section. He then began to look for another location for dairy pursuits, but coming to Ukiah he was induced to take up his trade once more, the result being that he speedily established himself as a reliable and efficient plumber, well qualified to fill contracts requiring the highest skill. Since coming here he has allied himself with the Chamber of Commerce and with other movements for the local upbuilding. In politics he favors Republican prin- ciples of the progressive type. While living in Oakland he married Miss Annie Schaffer, who was born in Koenigsberg, East Prussia, Germany, but has lived in California from early life. Their family comprises seven children, namely: Edward, Charles, George, Helen (deceased), Robert, Ella and Hen- rietta.