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| Jack K. Hansen, John H. Hansen, Harold L. Hansen |
John Hartwig Hansen was my Great Grandfather. This is his obituary, published in the Union April 11, 1945.
JACK H. HANSEN DIES AFTER WEEK LONG PNEUMONIA
One of Grass Valley's more colorful characters and citizens---a Norwegian farm boy, who became a merchant seaman, then an American soldier in the Spanish-American war, a gold miner in Nicaragua and Guatemala, a mine worker in Grass Valley and eventually mayor of the community in which he made his home--John Hartwig Hansen--the J.H. Hansen of hundreds of Grass Valley friends, died at the Jones Memorial Hospital at 11:05 0'clock yesterday morning.
Bronchial pneumonia, which attacked Hansen about a week ago, was held as the primary cause of his passing, the pneumonia attack coming just as he was showing definite and strong improvement after eight weeks of hospitalization from accident injuries and complications.
Struck by Car.....Early in February, Hansen, who was walking along Alta Street in the early evening, was struck by a car, operated by one of the Fore boys of Ivey Street. Hansen was crossing the intersection and did not believe that the machine would be turned into the side street, while Fore said he saw no one in the line of his vision until he felt the car strike an object. The blow was a severe one for the elderly man, who had reached his 80th year on February 2. One wrist was broken. He was moved to the Jones Memorial Hospital and put up a gallant fight for health, recovering from complications and was apparently on the road to health again, when the pneumonia attack became apparent.
Only a few months before, Hansen had successfully fought off a strong heart attack, which had collapsed him on the street. At that time he recovered within a few weeks and walked out of the hospital.
A native of Christiana, Norway, born February 2, 1865, Hansen was reared on a farm, but early in life he became a seafaring man and in many voyages with both sail and steam, he covered all oceans and visited all ports.
Fought in Philippines----He was 18 years of age when he first set foot at San Francisco and the remaining 62 years were credited to his United States residence, the last 49 spent in Grass Valley, although he spent some time in the Phillippines chasing first the Spanish and then Aguinaldo.
As a Spanish War veteran, he was affiliated with the George C. Marshall Camp No. 80, Roseville, United Spanish War Veterans. Hansen was a member of the first party to raise the Stars and Stripes in the Philippines.
After the Spanish War, he took a "fling" at Gold mining in Central America and many were the experiences he related and put down in his own handwriting of the life and adventures in Nicaragua and Guatemala.
Often his strength, quickness, agility, horsemanship and marksmanship stood him in good stead.
Wife, 3 Sons Survive......J. H. Hansen and the former Miss Vere Burroughs (misspelled; should be Burrows) were married in Grass Valley in 1904. The family home for many years was located near the Idaho-Maryland mine, where Hansen ranched and also engaged in the mining industry. Upon retirement some years ago, the family moved into Grass Valley and established their home at 418 West Main. He was a Mine Workers Protective League member.
John H Hansen top left corner, 4th from left, sitting.
Mrs. Hansen survives and three sons are bereaved: They are Sergeant Jack Hansen, United States Army, Belgium; Robley E. Hansen, United States Navy Construction Battalion, Mariannas Islands; Fireman 1c Harald L. Hansen, United States Navy, South Pacific. Four grandchildren and several nieces and nephews are bereaved also.
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| Harold Hansen, John H. Hansen, Robley Hansen WW II. This is one of the house fire pictures. |
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| John H. Hansen and Jack Hansen on the steps of the 418 W. Main Street house |
The late J. H. Hansen was an agile, athletic man. He was an expert swimmer, skater and skier, sports in which he excelled in his native land. As late as 10 years ago when the winter sports wave swept this section, Hansen put on skiis and demonstrated his mastery of the "boards".
6 Years on Council.....As a citizen of Grass Valley, he took a keen interest in the affairs of the community and in 1937 he became a candidate for the Grass Valley city council. He was successful and sat on the council for four years. He was re-elected in 1941 and was honored with elevation to the office of mayor of the city. He presided at council meetings and was the city's foremost representative for two years, resigning because of health considerations less than two years ago.
Hansen was a well liked citizen, executive and friend. His fund of authentic stories made him an attraction for groups interested in adventure. He held the admiration of the community for judgment, thoughtfulness and his vigorous constitution and appearance of health.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 12 at the chapel of the Hooper-Weaver Mortuary on South Church Street with interment in the Sylvan Cemetery, below Roseville. Rev. Frank Buck will be the officiating clergyman.
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| Vere and John H Hansen with unidentified young lady and Harold Hansen 18 September, 1934 |
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| John H. Hansen |
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| John H. Hansen |
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| John H. Hansen |
John Hartwig Hansen led a very colorful life in many different places. But, he left a lasting impression on Grass Valley according to his obituary. His house that he shared with Clara Vere Burrows Hansen at 418 W. Main street is still standing. It was designed by his son Robley Hansen, who also designed and built houses in Reno, Nevada.
An interesting side note....Victor Fore was the young man who hit my Great Grandfather, driving his grocery truck. The 1940 census shows him living with his family on Alta Street. His younger brother Lawrence would go on to be a dentist in the community. I attended school with one of his daughters as the family lived on Banner Mountain down the hill from my family. I found out this connection just recently. A unique connection to be sure!
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