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Below is a family biography included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published by Biographical Publishing Co. in 1894.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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HAMOR H. HANSON, who devotes his time and attention to agricultural pursuits on section 17, Murphysboro Township, Jackson County, was born on a farm near Carbondale, October 10, 1847. His father, Abram M. Hanson, was a native of England, born March 19, 1815. He married Catherine Hiller, daughter of Simon Hiller, who was a soldier of the Revolutionary War. In 1829, he emigrated to Illinois, and settled two miles southwest of Carbondale, where he made a permanent location. Throughout his remaining days he followed preaching and farming.

Abram M. Hanson came to this state the same year and opened up a new farm in Carbondale Township. He there continued to reside until 1860, when he removed to another farm that comprised two hundred and fifteen acres of good land. To its further development and cultivation he devoted his energies throughout his remaining days. He lost his first wife October 20, 1847. They were the parents of five children, three of whom are now living. After her death he was three times married, and now has nine living children. Two of his sons were soldiers in the late war. Mr. Hanson was a member of the Episcopal Church. His death occurred July 23, 1886, and his loss was mourned throughout the community.

H. H. Hanson spent the days of his boyhood and youth upon his father’s farm, and October 11, 1864, he responded to the country’s call for troops, becoming a member of the Eighty-first Illinois Infantry. He was then only seventeen years of age. He joined the regiment at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Mo., and with it was assigned to the command of Gen. A. J. Smith: After participating in the battle of Nashville, the troops followed Hood to Eastport, Tenn., and later took part in the battles of Mobile, Spanish Fort and Montgomery, Ala. When the war was over, Mr. Hanson received an honorable discharge, and was mustered out October 11, 1865.

On September 16, 1866, occurred another important event in the life of our subject, his marriage with Miss Margaret Josephine Crowell, a daughter of Evin A. and Catherine (Long) Crowell. The former was born in North Carolina, January 10, 1813, and the latter in the same state, August 11, 1814. In 1844 they removed to Tennessee, and in 1860 came to Illinois, locating in Carbondale Township, where the mother died April 19, 1874. The father departed this life February 2, 1891. They were the parents of eleven children, nine of whom are still living. They held membership with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were highly respected citizens.

Mrs. Hanson was born in North Carolina, December 22, 1843, and was educated in the common schools. Upon their marriage they located upon their present farm, and their home has been blessed by the presence of seven children, four of whom are yet living. Abram A., who was born June 16, 1867, married April 4, 1889, Minnie Etherton, by whom he has two children; they reside upon the home farm. James Sylvester, who was born November 17, 1869, and is still living on the old homestead, wedded July 14, 1889, Hattie Etherton, by whom he has three children; Hattie C. was born August 30, 1871, and Maggie Nora was born January 18, 1879.

The parents of this family are both members of the United Brethren Church, taking an active part in church work. They contribute liberally to its support, and Mr. Hanson is now serving as Trustee. He has been a member of the School Board for twenty years and labors untiringly in its interest. He is also a prominent member of Worthen Post No. 128, G. A. R., of Murphysboro. He takes an active interest in politics and is a stanch supporter of the Republican party and its principles. The community recognizes in him a valued citizen, who gives his support and co-operation to every enterprise calculated to prove of public benefit. Recently he visited the old family graveyard, where lie the remains of his grandfather, Abram Hanson, and great-grandfather, Sylvester Hanson, it being worthy of note that so many generations are buried in the same cemetery.

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This family biography is one of 679 biographies included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published in 1894.  View the complete description here: The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois

View additional Jackson County, Illinois family biographies here: Jackson County, Illinois Biographies

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