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


KNUD MADSEN HANSEN. � A native of Denmark who came to choose 
America for his future home, and who here, little by little, advanced success- 
fully and in his prosperity helped both himself and the community and state 
in which he lived, is Knud Madsen Hansen, the well-known rancher of Clovis. 
He was born in Fredericia, Jylland, on February 18. 1874. and spent his 
early life in the country of his birth. His father, Jens Hansen, was also a 
native of Denmark, where he served his country patriotically in both the 
army and the navy. He was also in the government railway service until 
his death. He married Dorthea Madsen. and five children were born to them, 
Knud being the eldest. 

Until he was fourteen years of age, the wide-awake lad attended the 
excellent Danish schools of his locality, and then for several years he worked 
on a farm. He was not satisfied altogether with the economic conditions of 
his fatherland; and hearing favorable reports from his uncle, Hans Madsen, 
who had come to western America and settled at Fresno, he determined to 
cross the waste of waters and join him. 

In 1893, therefore, he arrived in Fresno County ; and finding employment 
at viticulture he devoted himself to that line for nine or ten years, finally 
acquiring land for himself, and still studying viticulture. As the raisin in- 
dustry was fast developing, he gained his knowledge of the work by seeking 
employment in various Clovis vineyards, until eventually he was made super- 
intendent of the Shepherd & Teague vineyard, a position of responsibility 
that he held for nearly five years. 

In 1902 he purchased a tract of land and set out twenty acres as a vine- 
yard, later buying ten acres adjoining, which he also improved, building a 
comfortable residence ; and here he has since made his home, having sold 
the original twenty acres. His ranch is highly improved, being devoted to 
the raising of Malaga grapes, which it produces in abundance and variety. 

He was very active and instrumental as one of the organizers, in 1909, 
of the Clovis Farmers' Union ; the original board of directors including, be- 
sides Mr. Hansen, J. W. Potter. Sr., J. W. Sharer. H. H. Baker and Charles 
Westrup. Mr. Hansen was elected General Manager and Treasurer of the 
corporation and gave the undertaking his best time and efforts, and as a result 
of which the company became very successful, in time adding to the ware- 
house they had purchased in Clovis. After four years they sold out to the 
California Associated Raisin Company, and it became Plant No. 1 of their 
line of warehouses, and he was chosen superintendent of the Clovis Ware- 
house � a place he fills most acceptably because he understands cverv part 
of the raisin and dried fruit industry. Under his skilled oversight, the bus- 
iness has grown proportionately, and now from forty to eighty hands are 
required to cure and handle the fruit. 

On March 17, 1902, Mr. Hansen and Miss Emma Louise Maas were 
united in marriage at Fresno. The bride was born in New York State, and 
came to California with her parents ; Mr. and Mrs. Hansen have one son, 
James. Mr. Hansen was one of the prime factors in starting and organizing 
the Melvin Grape Growers Association, and now he is the president of its 
board of trustees. The company has built three warehouses at Melvin, Bur- 
ness and Glorietta. 

Mr. Hansen was made a Mason in Clovis Lodge, F. & A. M., and he is 
also a member of Clovis Lodge, I. O. O. F., where he is a Past Grand. He 
is a member of the Woodmen of the World and of the Dania in Fresno. 

He has always been an enthusiast in the work of the California Asso- 
ciated Raisin Company and of the Chamber of Commerce. He has won a 
large circle of friends, who know him as a reliable and upright man of de- 
pendable qualities. He is public spirited and liberal, and has always assisted 
as far as he was able in promoting every movement for the prosperity of his 
fellow-citizens, voting according to the standards of the Republican party.