California Biographies 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 the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from its earliest settlement to the present time. Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M. The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905 Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176 NIELS HANSEN. Cattle, wheat and barley are the three resources to which Niels Hansen has devoted his energies since coming to California in 1888. As his name and personal charac- teristics indicate, Mr. Hansen is of Danish ancestry, and was born in the now German de- pendency of Schleswig-Holstein. northern Germany, November 17, 1870. his parents being Niels and Maggie (Schmidt) Hansen, both natives of Denmark. The elder Hansen was of a migratory turn of mind in his younger years, and came to Mendocino county, Cal., in 1870, leaving his family in Schleswig-Holstein, while he sought to make a fortune in the new world. As a farmer and sawmiller he succeeded fairly well, and returned to Germany in 1877, remain- ing there until again locating in California in t88i. Continuing his former occupations for five years, he again took up his residence in the country of his birth, and now lives in Schleswig- Holstein. The second of four sons and two daughters in his parents' family, Niels. Ir., received a fair common school education in Schleswig-Holstein, and eventually left the farm and engaged in riding for a horse trader for three years. He followed his father's example and came to the United States in 1888, locating in Mendocino City, where he engaged in herding cattle until 1889. Removing to Stockton, he learned the plasterer's and brick-layer's trade, and at the same time took a two-year course at the Stockton Business College. The longing to return to the country overcame him in 1892, and with Grayson as his headquarters he again engaged in herding cattle and in ranching in the foothills. About the same time he became a land owner to the extent of one hundred and sixty acres, and soon afterward took up a similar amount of land near the summit of the coast range. These properties were both in Stanislaus county and were devoted to stock ranching, occupations in which their owner achieved a de- served measure of success. The summit ranch was eventually disposed of, and in 1901 Mr. Hansen leased five hundred and eighty acres and purchased one hundred and sixty acres in the neighborhood. Wheat, barley and cattle are his chief resources, and of all he is reasonably sure of a substantial yearly income. Mr. Hansen is a Democrat in politics, but has never disturbed the tranquility of his life by aspiring to office. He leads a moderate, very industrious existence, never fretting himself with ambitions which nature never intended him to realize, or longing for more than enough to make life comfortable, sane and wholesome. His little family consists of his wife, who was formerly Minnie Brown of Newman, and who is a native daughter of Germany; and a son, Niels. Jr., representing the third generation to bear that name. Mr. Hansen is an honored neighbor and loyal friend, and is ever ready to aid those to whom fortune has been less kind than to himself.