Hanscom was born in 1842 in Danville, Maine and entered service at Bowdoinham, Maine. He was awarded the Medal of Honor, for extraordinary heroism shown on October 14, 1863 at the Battle of Bristoe Station, while serving as a Corporal with Company F, 19th Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment. His Medal of Honor was issued on December 1, 1864, and is on display at the Maine State Museum.