The Somerset reporter., 1899-11-16
Charles Veranus Hanson.

1t ls well known Inat rev. DT' -. =
Hanson has been for some time waver-
lug between life and death. He passed
away In the home of his daughter, Mrs.
Herbert L. Gale, In Atlantic, Mass.
Ever since leaving Portland, where he
spent a delightful summer amid the
scenes of his boyhood and 10 the society
OF old and dear friends, he has been
rapidly failing. AS he saw the shadows
closing around him, he yearned for the
friends and associations of the old home
in Skowhegan, regretting that he had
ever left this place. Surely never was
pastor more beloved or his memory
more tenderly cherished.
DR.. Hanson was born in Portland, Me-,
August 30, 1874, where he passed his
early years and prepared for college
under the tuition of the veteran teacher,
DR.. J. II. Hasson. He entered Water
Vile College in the days of Its sorest
need and greatest depression in the first
year of the war, when classes we're
small and the prospects OF the college
were dubious. But there was fund of
cheerful life in him that helped to keep
up the spirits of all. It was he that in
troduced base ball among the students,
a game in which he never lost his in
terest. During his college course he
passed some months as an agent OF the
Christian Commission with the army 10
shenandoah VALLEY, Va.
Graduating in 1865 he went to New
ton Theological Institution for the
special course of training needed to pre-
pare him for his chosen calling, the
ministry OF the gospel. He graduated
in 1868 in a class that numbered twenty
one, of which he was the most popular
and CHEEKY member.
No sooner WAS he ready for his life
work than his work was ready for him.
He was called at once to minister to the
Baptist Church in Peabody, Mass, and
he called to himself as a helper, meet for
him, Miss Sarah A. Libby of Portland,
Me.
This first charge of the young pastor
was In every respect very happy one.
His genial nature, combined with his
active and earnest labOrs, made large
place for him in the hearts OF all the
people. Not only was he loved as
pastor, but he was also priced as man
OF sound judgment 10 practical affairs
and for two successive terms he WAS
chosen by his fellow citizens TO represent
them in the State legislature in 1872 and
1873.
After pastorate of eleven years in
Massachusetts ne listened to call to
return to his native State and in 1879
became the pastor Of the church In
Damariscotta. Here he wrought good
work both IN the church which he served
as pastor and in the wider field Of the
State at large In the debates of the
Convention Board his counsel was highly
esteemed. In 1883 his Alma Mater
placed him on her board OF trustees aud
up to the very last meeting ne spared
himself no labor and pains 10 serving
the college, even at the cost of utter
collapse when his work was done. In
1892 the honorary degree OF Doctor of
Divinity was conferred upon him by
Colby University.
In February, 1897, the scene of his
labOrs changed to Providence, K. L.,
with the Fourth Baptist Church, but
after few months ne came back TO
Maine and accepted call from Bethany
Church in this place. Here he found
to be built up from the foundations, a
united and harmonious people ready to
be moulded and developed under the
guidance of a wise leader. IL was a
labor of love for him to throw his whole
being into the work. AS good, earnest
preacher and model pastor ne
endeared himself to this people in ways
that will never be forgotten. As "A
"a
by all classes OF men, women and
children He has left an enduring name
in this church and home of his latest
love. No one thought when he left this
town year ago that he was taking his
final leave Of us, but his strength failed
sooner than was expected. His sudden
sickness during the last commencement
season at Watervlle warned him to
avoid every kind of excitement and
fatigue. From that time 1t was the sole
aim of his wife and children to surround
him with an atmosphere of peace and to
relieve him of the pains of sickness.
The end came on the morning of Noyem
Der llth.
His remains were brought to Portland
for interment, where appropriate ser
vices were held ia the home of his
brother-in-law, Mr.. George II. Libby,
Tuesday afternoon, the 14th instant.
Bethany Church, in which he retained
his membership, was officially repre-
scented at this service by the pastor, Rev.
W. FL. Spencer, and Deacon Pethuel
Fletcher. Other members also attended
the service.
DIR. Hanson leaves the wife of his
early manhood, one daughter, Mrs.
Herbert l.. Gale. and one son, Harold
L., now a student in Newton Theologi-
cal Institution. His circle of warm
friends is a very large one, particularly
in the towns where he had held pastor
ates. w. II. S.