Adolf Halfdan Hansen was born to Dorette Kristensen and
Johannes Adolf Waldemar Hansen on 29 Jan 1880 and christened on 18 Apr 1880 at
Garnison Menighet, Oslo, Akershus, Norway.
Adolf was the third of the five children born to Dorette and Johannes
Adolf before Dorette’s death in 1887.
After his mother’s death Adolf continued his education,
completing the seventh year. In 1889
Johannes married for a second time. His
new wife, Nathalie, was only five years older than Adolf’s older sister
Dagny. In 1894 Dagny with her brothers
Artur and Adolf immigrated to the United Stated setteling in Chicago where
their mother’s sisters, Olga, Magna, and Dagmar, and brother Oscar had settled
previously.
In 1900, Adolf and Artur were living with Aunt Olga Pedersen
and her family in Chicago. While the Oscar Daniels Co is not mentioned
specifically in the census employment Adolf, Artur, and Axel Pedersen all have
employment relating to the construction co.
Adolf’s uncle Oscar had established the company and it was
involved in all types of construction and iron work: bridges, ships, and the
New York subway system among others. Oscar firmly believed in hiring family,
brothers-in-law, nephews, grand-nephews ect.
Adolph worked for the Oscar Daniels Co for most of his life
changing jobs and traveling as needed by the company. He was a packer in Chicago, a timekeeper in
Toolee, Utah, a treasurer in the shipyard in Tampa, and a vice-president back
in Chicago. His travels took him to Milwaukee,
Wi where he met his future wife Henrietta Burbach.
In the 1930s the construction industry foundered due to the
depression. Oscar Daniels died in 1939 and Adolf risked everything he had to
save the company. He even mortgaged his
home. All to no avail since he lost
everything, even the house. Adolf and
his wife Henrietta lived out the remainder their lives in the home of their
daughter Dorothy Hansen Murray.
Adolf’s story is one of courage and determination. While it may seem that Adolf failed, he
taught his children and through them his
seventeen grandchildren how to persevere against all odds. He taught honesty, humor, and a love of the
fine arts.
I was four when my BaBa died but I remember his twinkling
blue eyes and impish grin.
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