Hans Jacob Hanssen Chilton Times February 2, 1924

The death of Hans Jacob Hanssen, pioneer settler of the town of New Holstein, came as a shock to his family and friends, many of whom were unaware of his brief but serious illness until death claimed him. Mr. Hanssen was taken ill two weeks previous to his death with hemorrhage of the brain but a few days later rallied and showed signs of recovery. He suffered a relapse on Monday of last week. Mr. Hanssen was robust in health all his life and except for being laid up with an infected foot in the winter of 1922-23 he had never been seriously ill. He recovered from this infection in the spring of 1923 and was around as usual often visiting in this city with his sons. On January 13th he was stricken with hemorrhage of the brain and in spite of all that could be done for him the illness proved fatal.
Hans Jacob Hanssen was born in southern Ditmarshen, village of Marne, Germany, on July 8, 1854, and settling at New Holstein where friends of the family had settled previously. Their first home was on a farm one mile north of New Holstein upon which they remained for three years and then purchased government land a mile north of Meggers. Mr. Hanssen spent his boyhood on these farms and on Nov. 23, 1866, was united in marriage to Caroline Baster, taking up residence on the old homestead.
Seven children were born to their union, two passing away in infancy. In 1897 Mr. Hanssen sold his farm to his son, Frederick and retired from active farm life, building a home a mile north of Meggers. He and his wife lived there until 1913 when they purchased a home in New Holstein and took up residence in that city where they have since resided.
Mr. Hanssen took an active interest in the civic affairs of his town and served as town chairman of the town of Eaton, Manitowoc County and school clerk of that town for 14 years. Mr. Hanssen had also been a director of the Calumet County Mutual Fire Ins. Co. for many years. He was regarded as a man of unusual ability and during his term of public office his services were efficient in every way. In private life he was a good husband and father and left nothing undone to make their home a place of comfort and contentment.
The deceased is survived by his widow and five children, Mrs. Fred Arps and Mrs. Henry Kaiser of New Holstein, Otto and John of this city and Frederick of the town of Eaton. He also leaves seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
The funeral was held on Thursday afternoon form the house with interment in the cemetery in the town of Eaton, Rev. W. A Arpke officiating.