Frederik William (Nissler) Hansen (1887 - 1943)

Born 15 Jul 1887 in Frederiksberg, København, Denmark

Ancestors

Husband of Ella Dorothea Henrietta (Bachmann) Hansen — married 18 Jun 1913 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois, United States

Descendants

Died 21 Apr 1943 at age 55 in Wausau, Marathon, Wisconsin, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Culley Schweger Bell [send private message], Violet Bell [send private message], Linnea Bell [send private message], and Charles Schweger [send private message]

Genealogically Defined

Biography

William (Nissler) Hansen was born in Denmark

Frederik William was born July 15, 1887 in Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark. His mother Henriette Ditlevmine (Meilstrup) Hansen (1864-1956) was not married, but she listed his father in the birth record as John William Nissler. At the time of his birth she was living at Danmarksgade 5 on the 2nd floor. Ten months previously she had been living at Amagertorv 6 and it was noted on February 18, 1888 that child support would be provided by the Helligånds Sogn^[1] as that is where Frederik William was likely conceived. Frederik William was baptised on September 18, 1887 in the church (likely the Frederiksberg Kirke).^[2]

In September of 1889 Frederik William's mother Vina emigrated to the United States.^[3] Frederik William became a foster child of the Mathiesen family.^[4]

William (Nissler) Hansen migrated from Denmark to United States.

November 13, 1890 Frederik William was put on the ship Thingvalla, leaving Copenhagen for New York.^[5][6] It is unsure who he was accompanied by as he was only 3 1/2 years old, or even if he was accompanied. The ship arrived at Castle Garden in New York on December 1, 1890. His ticket was purchased through an agent and the contract, valid until January 7, 1891, was registered with the police. No other person was listed on the contract as having bought a ticket.^[7] In family stories ^[8] Frederik William travelled alone to New York. While he was on board the ship a family took care of him and he remained in contact with that familly. It was with that family that he lived while living in Chicago as a student.

Presumably, after arriving in New York, Frederik William met with his mother and they lived in Chicago. In January,1892 his mother married Frederik Christian Hansen in Chicago.^[9] Frederik William used the last name of Hansen after their marriage. Perhaps at this point he was called William, as his stepfather was called Fred. He also Americanized the spelling of Frederik to Frederick.

Very soon after the marriage William and his mother moved with his stepfather to the township of Morris, Wisconsin. In June of that year William's first brother Ernst was born in Morris.^[10]

By 1900, William had another brother and a younger sister. The family was farming in the Morris township. They employed a servant and had a boarder from Denmark living with them.^[11] At the time of the 1905 census William had another younger sister, 16 years his junior.^[12]

After his 21st birthday, William declared his intention on August 4, 1908 to become a naturalized citizen of the United States. At that time he was working as an engineer on portable engines and still living with his family in Morris. He was described as 5' 9", 150 lbs, with gray eyes and auburn hair.^[5]

At the time of the 1910 census William was still working as an engineer at the sawmill. He was obviously saving up money to attend further schooling while living at the family farm.^[13] That fall he entered the Chicago Veterinary College.^[14]

Chicago Veterinary College

Sometime either before William started veterinary school or just after he started he purchased 80 acres near the town of Wittenberg in Shawano county, Wisconsin. The land was bisected by the South Branch of the Embarrass River. His ownership of the land showed in in section 17 of the county map of 1911.^[15] He graduated from the Veterinary College in 1912.

According to family stories William became friends with Franklin A Loding (1868-1923) while in school.^[16] Likely through Frank, William met Frank's sister-in-law Ella Bachmann. They were married June 18, 1913 in Chicago.^[17] The young couple moved north to Wittenberg, Wisconsin where William ran a veterinary practice.

Also in 1913, William's application for citizenship by naturalization was finalized.^[18][19]

Within four years time, William and Ella had two sons, Robert William and Edward Frederick. William was running his veterinary practice in Wittenberg. He was described on his military draft registration as of medium height and build, having gray eyes and light brown hair with slight baldness.^[20]

In 1920 the family was living in the village of Wittenberg where William was listed as a veterinary surgeon. He lived in a mortgaged home with his wife Ella and their two sons.^[21] In December of that same year, William and Ella's daughter Carolyn Mae was born.

In 1925 William joined the National Guard. He was part of the Medical Regiment, the 135 Vet Co. out of Clintonville, Wisconsin. He started on January 1 as a 2nd Lieutenant and was made 1st Lieutenant on May 1, 1926.^[22][23]

In 1930 the family was living in the Village of Wittenberg and all three of their children were attending school. William was still working as a veterinarian.^[24]

William was a well loved vet in the Wittenberg area. Many people trusted him with their own ailments because he took such good care of their animals. He was also known to be very bad at remembering names, as well as having a good sense of humor. He had been told that a new minister had come to town and that he shouldn't make fun of his name. One afternoon he passed by the newcomer and tipped his hat and said "Hello, You must be Reverend Fahrtze." The reply was "No, I'm Reverend Schitze." This has been a family story that has been laughed about for generations.^[25]

Another family story is when William was out driving with the minister. The car got a flat tire and in the process of changing the tire, William hit his head on the trunk door and exclaimed "Jesus H. Christ." His minister friend answered, "Oh, thanks William, I always wondered what his middle name was."^[26]

However, there were also rumours that he drank. In the Lutheran community alcohol was very strongly frowned upon. Supposedly, the men would go to "check on the cows" with flasks at parties. It seems that some in the community felt that Doc. Hansen did this too often. When William's eldest son was killed in a car accident in 1937 it was blamed on alcohol. William had been one of the first people at the scene of the accident and was there when the car was lifted off of his son.^[27] The minister at St. John's Lutheran church used the funeral for Robert as a time to preach to the family of the demons of alcohol. The William Frederick Hansen family never attended the Lutheran church again and switched to the Methodist church.^[28]

By 1940 William and Ella had only Carolyn living at home. William was still a practicing veterinarian. Carolyn was working part-time at a local department store after finishing high school.^[29]

In April, 1942 William registered for the draft. He was listed as 5'91/2" tall, about 200 lb, with gray eyes, red hair, and a ruddy complexion. His address was given as Box 147, Wittenberg.^[30]

April 21, 1943 Frederick William died of a bleeding stomach ulcer^[31] at the Memorial Hospital in Wausau, Wisconsin. He was buried in the Forest Home Cemetery in Wittenberg.^[32]

Census Tables

February 1, 1890 ^[4]

København (Elmegade-Forhaabningsholmsallé), København, Denmark

June 1, 1900 (enumerated June 5) ^[11]

Morris town, Shawano, Wisconsin

June 1, 1905 ^[12]

Town of Morris, Shawano, Wisconsin

April 15, 1910 (enumerated April 22) ^[13]

Morris Town, Shawano, Wisconsin

January 1, 1920 (enumerated January 23)^[21]

Wittenberg Village, Shawano, Wisconsin

April 1 , 1930 (enumerated April 11)^[24]

Wittenberg Village, Shawano, Wisconsin

April 1 , 1940 (enumerated April 8)^[29]

Wittenberg Village, Shawano, Wisconsin

Research Notes

The family of Frederick William Hansen were told various stories to explain his birth and apparent illegitimacy. It was not discussed in the family and his daughter Carolyn insisted to her young children that Frederick C Hansen was his father-- his adopted father.^[33] Frederick William's much younger sister Ellen explained that William had been born in Denmark, then his mother had gone to Chicago, and then had returned to Denmark to get him and to marry Fred C. Hansen. Yet none of that story added up. William and Ellen's cousin Ejvind Meilstrup-Hansen said that it was thought that Frederick William's biological father was a brother of Frederick Christian.^[34] However, the records for Frederick William's birth in Denmark and the marriage record of his mother in Chicago show a more solid chronology that explains so much. It would have been very difficult for a single mother of an illegitimate child. Likely coming to Chicago without the child allowed her a fresh start and she could safely bring her child once she had settled with Fred C. Hansen. As their first child Ernst was born in June, 1892, but they had only been married in January, she became pregnant likely in September/October 1891, right about when tickets were being arranged for William to come to North America. Perhaps the plan all along was for William to come once his mother was settled ie married. As the family did not discuss any of this, the descendants of Frederick William were mostly unaware of his early circumstances. Note that preliminary results from DNA show a connection between William's grandsons and Nissler descendants living in Ohio.

It is thought that William was a 3rd degree mason, so research needs to be done to find out more about that.^[35]

Sources

1. ↑ Baptism: "Denmark, Church Records, 1812-1924"
   Rigsarkivet; Danmark; Kontraministerialbog; Reference: 8025824141
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 61607 #9019765 (accessed 7 March 2023)
   Frederik William Nissler baptism on 18 Sep 1887 (born 15 Jul 1887), son of Henriette Detlevine Nielstrup, in Helligånd Sogn, Københavns Amt, Danmark (Denmark).
2. ↑ Baptism: "Denmark Church Records, 1484-1941"
   citing Volume: 1886-1887; Affiliate Film Number: 064_3_046;
   FamilySearch Record: QG8F-LH1Y (accessed 25 February 2023)
   FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-894C-C4WB Image number 00127
   Frederik William Nissler baptism in 1887 (born 15 Jul 1887), son of Henriette Ditlevine Meistrup & John William Nissler, in Frederiksberg, København, Danmark.
3. ↑ Denmark Emigration Index: "Web: Denmark, Emigration Index, 1868-1908"
   The Danish Emigration Data Base. The Danish Emigration Archives. http://www.udvandrerarkivet.dk/udvandrerprotokollerne/: accessed 24 August 2014; URL: http://www.udvandrerarkivet.dk/udvandrerprotokollerne/
   Ancestry ca Record 70772 #326655 (accessed 3 March 2023)
   Registration Date: 18 Sep 1889; Name: Vina Milstrup; Residence Date: 1889; Residence Place: København, København; Destination Place: New York City, New York State, USA; Registration Place: Denmark; Occupation: Frøken; Ship: Indirekte; ID Code: I8990M1305; Contract Number: 550100; Birth Date: abt 1864; Age: 25.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} 1890 Census: "1890 Denmark Census"
   The Danish National Archives - Rigsarkivet; København, Danmark; 1890 Folketælling
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 61732 #80989 (accessed 3 March 2023)
   Frederik William Nisler (2) plejebarn in household of Johan Otto Mathiesen (50) in København (Elmegade-Forhaabningsholmsallé) (Copenhagen), København (Kobenhavn), Danmark (Denmark). Born in Frederiksberg.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} Wisconsin County Naturalization Records 1807-1992: "Wisconsin, County Naturalization Records, 1807-1992"
   citing Record number: 0;
   FamilySearch Record: CJ5B-VBW2 (accessed 7 March 2023)
   FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-L93D-99VW-S Image number 00439
   Age: 21; Source Ref Volume Nbr: 43; Birth Date: 15 Jul 1887; Birth Place: Copenhagen, Denmark; Name: William Frederick Hansen; Naturalization Place: Shawano, Wisconsin, United States; Naturalization Date: 4 Aug 1908.
6. ↑ Thingvalla Records Solem, Børge (Webmaster). "http://www.norwayheritage.com/p_ship.asp?sh=thing". Norway Heritage: Hands Across the Sea. Accessed 8 Mar 2023.
7. ↑ Denmark Emigration Index: "Web: Denmark, Emigration Index, 1868-1908"
   The Danish Emigration Data Base. The Danish Emigration Archives. http://www.udvandrerarkivet.dk/udvandrerprotokollerne/: accessed 24 August 2014; URL: http://www.udvandrerarkivet.dk/udvandrerprotokollerne/
   Ancestry ca Record 70772 #156415 (accessed 7 March 2023)
   Registration Date: 7 Jan 1891; Name: Fr. Wm. Meilstrup; Residence Date: 1891; Residence Place: København, København; Destination Place: New York City, New York State, USA; Registration Place: Denmark; Occupation: Barn; Ship: Thingvalla; ID Code: D8991M1603; Contract Number: 500; Birth Date: abt 1888; Age: 3. Image
8. ↑ Told by Caroline Hansen Schweger and Ellen Hansen Hellier Wendt to Paul Schweger
9. ↑ Marriage of Mother: "Illinois, Cook County Marriages, 1871-1968"
   citing FHL microfilm: 1030210; Record number: 505;
   FamilySearch Record: N7D2-TLK (accessed 6 March 2023)
   Wina Henriette Meilstrup (27) marriage to Frederik C. Hansen (38) on 16 Jan 1892 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.
10. ↑ Military Record of Ernest Hansen: "U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942"
    The National Archives At St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War Ii Draft Cards (4th Registration) For the State of California; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 1002 #13513081 (accessed 15 February 2023)
    Residence Place: Glendale, California, USA; Name: Ernest Edward Hansen; Birth Date: 21 Jun 1892; Gender: Male; Military Draft Date: 1942; Next of Kin: Mrs Nancy Hansen.
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1} 1900 Census: "United States Census, 1900"
    citing enumeration district (ED) 169, sheet 3A, family 44, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,817.
    FamilySearch Record: MM2D-PMN (accessed 7 March 2023)
    FamilySearch Image: S3HT-6Q81-RJ
    William Hansen (13), single son, in household of Fred C Hansen (47) in Morris & Seneca towns, Shawano, Wisconsin, United States. Born in Denmark.
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1} 1905 Census: "Wisconsin State Census, 1905"
    citing Page: 2; Line: 20; FHL microfilm: 1020985; Record number: 21341;
    FamilySearch Record: MM74-TTG (accessed 7 March 2023)
    FamilySearch Image: S3HY-6SCQ-72H Image number 00222
    William Hansen (17), single son, in household of Fred C Hansen (51) in Morris, Shawano, Wisconsin, United States. Born in Denmark.
13. ↑ ^{13.0 13.1} 1910 Census: "United States Census, 1910"
    citing enumeration district (ED) ED 153, sheet 2B, family 30, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1737; FHL microfilm 1,375,750.
    FamilySearch Record: MP2W-MQ7 (accessed 7 March 2023)
    FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9YB9-95PH Image number 01094
    William Hansen (22), single son, in household of Fred C Hansen (56) in Morris, Shawano, Wisconsin, United States. Born in Denmark.
14. ↑ The Chicago Veterinary School Session 1910-1911 Prospectus Page 30 Go to Image #45
15. ↑ Ancestry.com. U.S., Indexed County Land Ownership Maps, 1860-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Collection Number: G&M_70; Roll Number: 70 Map Image
16. ↑ Story told by Charles Schweger to Culley Schweger Bell.
17. ↑ Marriage: "Illinois, Cook County Marriages, 1871-1968"
    citing FHL microfilm: 1030548; Record number: 1354;
    FamilySearch Record: N7DD-3BZ (accessed 7 March 2023)
    Frederick W Hansen (25y) marriage to Ella Dorothy Bachmann (21) on 18 Jun 1913 in Chicago, Cook, Illinois.
18. ↑ Wisconsin County Naturalization Records 1807-1992: "Wisconsin, County Naturalization Records, 1807-1992"
    citing Record number: 0;
    FamilySearch Record: C2DC-Z6MM (accessed 7 March 2023)
    FamilySearch Image: 3QSQ-G93D-995P-K Image number 00440
    Naturalization Place: Shawano, Wisconsin, United States; Name: William Frederick or Frederick Wiliam Hansen; Naturalization Date: 1 Dec 1913.
19. ↑ Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950: "Illinois, Northern District Naturalization Index, 1840-1950"
    citing Shawano, Wisconsin, NARA microfilm publication M1285 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 82; FHL microfilm 1,432,082.
    FamilySearch Record: XKG9-NLW (accessed 7 March 2023)
    FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9PQQ-96JC
    Event City Orig: Shawano; Naturalization Date: 1913; Event State Country Orig: Wisconsin; Birth Date: 1887; Birth Place: Denmark; Event Type: Naturalization; Name: William Frederick Hansen; Soundex Range: H-525 Jan to H-536; Naturalization Place: Shawano, Wisconsin; Event State Country: Wisconsin.
20. ↑ Military: "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918"
    citing Affiliate Publication Title: World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards; Affiliate Publication Number: M1509; Record number: 0;
    FamilySearch Record: 7H76-FGPZ (accessed 7 March 2023)
    FamilySearch Image: 33S7-8184-K68 Image number 00400
    Military Draft Registration Date: from 1917 to 1918; Citizenship Place: United States; Military Draft Registration Place: Shawano, Wisconsin, United States; Birth Date: 15 Jul 1887; Birth Place: Copenhagen, Denmark; Race: White; Name: Frederick William Hansen.
21. ↑ ^{21.0 21.1} 1920 Census: "United States Census, 1920"
    citing Affiliate Publication Number: T625; Affiliate Film Number: 2016; Line: 62; FHL microfilm: 1822016; Record number: 42141;
    FamilySearch Record: MFK4-DND (accessed 7 March 2023)
    FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GRJP-WQF Image number 00884
    Frederick W Hansen (32), married head of household in Shawano, Wisconsin, United States. Born in Denmark.
22. ↑ National Guard Registry: "U.S., Select Military Registers, 1862-1985"
    United States Military Registers, 1902–1985. Salem, Oregon: Oregon State Library
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 2345 #3351671 (accessed 7 March 2023)
    Birth Place: Denmark; Name: Frederick W. Hansen; Birth Date: 15 Jul 1887; Military Date: 1 May 1926; Publication Date: 1927; Title: National Guard Register.
23. ↑ National Guard Registry Index: "U.S., Official National Guard Register, 1925"
    Secretary of War, Militia Bureau. Official National Guard Register for 1925. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1925
    Ancestry ca Record 4996 #5265 (accessed 7 March 2023)
    Page #: 988; Given Name: Frederick W; State / District: Wisconsin; Rank: 2 Lt; Birth Date: 15 July 1887; Regiment: 135 Med Regt; Surname: Hansen; Birthplace: Denmark; Company: 135 Vet Co - Clintonville.
24. ↑ ^{24.0 24.1} 1930 Census: "United States Census, 1930"
    citing enumeration district (ED) ED 42, sheet 6A, line 16, family 140, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 2612; FHL microfilm 2,342,346.
    FamilySearch Record: X9SY-T59 (accessed 7 March 2023)
    FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GR8K-H26 Image number 00684
    William F Hansen (42), married head of household in Wittenberg, Shawano, Wisconsin, United States. Born in Denmark.
25. ↑ Story passed down to Culley Schweger Bell.
26. ↑ As told by John Schweger.
27. ↑ 1937 Newspaper: "Newspapers.com"
    Wausau Daily Herald 26 Jul 1937, page 1
    Newspapers Clip: 120416030 (accessed 7 March 2023)
28. ↑ Story passed down to Culley Schweger Bell.
29. ↑ ^{29.0 29.1} 1940 Census: "United States Census, 1940"
    citing Affiliate Publication Number: T627; Line: 44;
    FamilySearch Record: K7V8-1J1 (accessed 7 March 2023)
    FamilySearch Image: 3QSQ-G9M1-8F83
    William Hansen (52), married head of household in Wittenberg, Shawano, Wisconsin, United States. Born in Denmark.
30. ↑ Military: "U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942"
    The National Archives At St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; World War Ii Draft Cards (Fourth Registration) For the State of Wisconsin; Record Group Title: Records of the Selective Service System; Record Group Number: 147; Series Number: M2126; Box or Roll Number: 112
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 1002 #10834252 (accessed 7 March 2023)
    Gender: Male; Next of Kin: Mrs Ella D. Hansen; Birth Date: 15 Jul 1887; Birth Place: Copenhagen, Denmark; Race: White; Name: Fredrick William Hansen; Residence Place: Wittenberg, Wisconsin, USA; Military Draft Date: 1942. Image Page 2
31. ↑ Memory of grandsons John and Paul Schweger.
32. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
    Find A Grave: Memorial #106969934 (accessed 7 March 2023)
    Memorial page for Dr Frederick William Hansen (15 Jul 1887-21 Apr 1943), citing Forest Home Cemetery, Wittenberg, Shawano County, Wisconsin, USA; Maintained by Mina (contributor 48405613).
33. ↑ As told to Culley Schweger Bell by Charles and John Schweger.
34. ↑ As told to Culley Schweger Bell by Ejvind Meilstrup-Hansen.
35. ↑ As told by Carolyn Hansen Schweger to John Schweger.