"History of Cottonwood and Watonwan Counties of Minnesota, 1916"
A thriving banking business is being conducted at Windom by Henry E. Hanson, who understands thoroughly every phase of his chosen line of endeavor and tries in every way to please his many patrons. Mr. Hanson was born in Fillmore county, Minnesota, September 18, 1860. He is a son of Elling and Guro (Helgeson) Hanson, both natives of Norway, where they spent their earlier years, immigrating to America in 1848, locating on Rock Prairie, Rock county, Wisconsin, where they remained until about 1851, when they removed to Fillmore county, Minnesota, where the father died in 1860. The mother married again, and the family removed io La Crosse, Wisconsin, and in 1872 came to Ann township, Cottonwood county,
Minnesota, where Henry E. Hanson's step-father, Ole Kleven, entered a homestead which he developed and on which he and his wife spent the rest of their lives. Three children were born to Elling and Guro Hanson,
namely: Mary, deceased; Anna, who lives in Fillmore county, and Henry E., the subject of this sketch.
Henry E. Hanson received his early education in the public schools of La Crosse, Wisconsin, later attending school in Cottonwood county, Minnesota. He started out in life as a laborer on farms and with threshing machines, then engaged in railroad construction work for two years, later
engaged in farming for himself. In 1889 he was elected register of deeds, which office he held with satisfaction to all concerned for a period of eighteen years, or until January, 1906. The following autumn he was elected to the state Senate, in which body he made a splendid record. In 1907 he was appointed postmaster at Windom, which position he held until July, 1915. He was state Senator during the sessions of the Legislature from 1907 to 1909. In 1907 he organized the Farmers State Bank at Windom, of which he became cashier, continuing as such until in January, 1915, then became president, which position he still occupies. His rare business acumen, sound judgment, recognized industry and honesty have combined to make this one of the sound, safe and popular banks of this section of the
state. He is also interested in general farming, owning a fine farm of eight
hundred and eighty acres in Ann township, which he claims to be the second best farm in Cottonwood county. It is under a high state of cultivation and improvement, including large, substantial buildings, with every modern convenience. He formerly bred Shorthorn cattle, also Berkshire hogs. He now rents his land.
On May 6, 1889, Henry E. Hanson was married to Gina Peterson, of Westbrook township, Cottonwood county, daughter of Paul Peterson, a part of whose farm is now within the limits of the town of Westbrook. To this union the following children have been born: Emma Pauline is the wife of Frank Strehlow; Clarence M., Hazel, Irene is the wife of Frank Barr, and Grace.
Politically, Mr. Hanson is a Republican. He has long been active and influential in public affairs, and is the recognized leader of his party in this section of Minnesota. He has done much for the general development of his town and community and is one of the most substantial and best known citizens of Cottonwood county. He is a member of the Norwegian Lutheran church. Fraternally, he belongs to the Ancient Free and Accepted
Masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Modern Woodmen of America, the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Royal Arcanum and the Sons of Norway.