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| ANDREW HANSON, attorney at Big Rapids, was born in Jutland, Denmark, Sept. 29, 1853, and is a son of Hans and Christina (Nelson) Christianson. His patronymic arose from the Danish custom of compoundin the first and last names of the father. At the age of 15 she shipped for service on a merchantman and followed the sea three years and four months, beoming familiar with the principal ports of Europe. In the winter of 1870 he studied chemistry, surveyint, etc., at the Tampdrup High School, Jutland. He came to the United States in August, 1872, and to Morley, Mecosta Co., where he commenced to study under L. G. Palmer, and at the same time acted as night watchman for the protection of a saw-mill. During the several succeeding years he was variously engaged, and accumulated a considerable amount of land; was in the meating business, and also pursued lumbering energetically, winters, in Colfax Tp., where he owned 580 acres of land. He was overtaken by reverses, and in the spring of 1881 lost several thousands of dollars. He engaged in teaching near Morley, where he was occupied three years. Commencing in June, 1882, he took a course of study in Swensburg Business College at Grand Rapids. On leaving there he came to Big Rapids and again became a student of law in the office of Palmer Bros., and was admitted to the Br as an attorney April 6, 1883. In June he entered the office of Frank Dumon, Prosecuting Attorney of Mecosta County, as an assistant. Mr. Hanson was nominated on the city ticket for Recorder, in the spring of 1883, but was unsuccessful in his candidacy. While resident in Colfax Tp., he was Treasurer, in 1879-'80, and in the latter year was Supervisor. |