Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Hansel, Jacob 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 13, 2006, 6:05 pm

Author: History of Grundy County, 1914

Hansel, Jacob – There are no more substantial or reliable men in the United 
States than those who have come from Germany and have developed into American 
citizens.  Bringing with them the sturdy characteristics of their Fatherland, 
they have appreciated and benefited by the advantages here offered and become 
prosperous and representative.  One of the men of this type, who, after years 
of honorable toil, is now enjoying the fruits of his labor, is Jacob Hansel of 
Aux Sable Township.  He was born at Baden, Germany, May 17, 1831, and after 
losing his parents in 1852, with his sister Sarah, came to the United States.  
Passing through Chicago, he went on into Du Page County, Ill., and began 
working for farmers and on railroads, never refusing honest work of any kind 
no matter how hard.  Five years later he came to Minooka, Grundy County, and 
began hauling wood.  This work lasted during the first winter, and in the 
summer he found employment at farm labor.  In 1867, having carefully saved his 
money, he was able to purchase sixty acres in Aux Sable Township.  It was wild 
land, but he immediately began clearing and as able, added to his holdings 
until he now owns 334 acres all in one body, 200 acres of which are under 
cultivation, the balance being given over to hay, timber and pasture.  Having 
worked very hard until 1910, in that year he partially retired, leaving the 
active management of the property to his sons.

In July, 1856, Mr. Hansel married Rosa Holtz, born in Germany, who died in 
May, 1869.  Their daughter, Mary, died at the age of eight years.  In June, 
1870, Mr. Hansel married (second) Sarah McGraw, born in Ireland.  By his 
second marriage, he has had three children:  Edward, who died at the age of 
twenty-six years; Jacob, who died at the age of twenty-four years; and Thomas, 
who died at the age of twenty-eight years.  The second Mrs. Hansel died in the 
fall of 1877.  In 1880 Mr. Hansel married (third) Minnie Creiger, born in 
Prussia, Germany, and they have had eight children:  Mary, who is Mrs. Thomas 
Kinsler, of Aux Sable Township; Frank, who is at home; William, who is of Aux 
Sable Township; Charles, who is at home; Louise, who is Mrs. Brooks of Aux 
Sable Township; Anna, who is Mrs. John Sneider of South Minnesota; Hattie, who 
is a school teacher; and Carrie, who is at home.  Mr. Hansel is a member of 
the German Lutheran Church.  For many years he has been a school director and 
has held other local offices, for he is a man whose capability is recognized 
and appreciated by his neighbors.

pages 822-823

Additional Comments:
Source:  History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. 
Publishers; 1914

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/grundy/bios/hansel818nbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ilfiles/

File size: 3.3 Kb