The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1920-11-25
BEEN IN BUSINESS
FOR FORTY YEARS
Thomas E. Hansen Has a
Notable Business Ami
versary Today.
BUYS NEW LOCATION

Today was notable anniversary for
Thomas E. Hansen, founder and senior
member of the firm of Thomas Hansen
and Sons, one of the Oldest under
taking firms in southern Wisconsin.
It was Mr.. Hansen's sixty seventh
birthday and in addition was the
fortieth anniversary of his starting
in business in Kenosha.
At the Office Of the company this
morning, several of the statesmen who
for years have been acquainted in a
business way with Mr.. Hansen, made
special trips to Kenosha to congrat-
ulate. him upon his dual anniversary.
The event marks the successful man
agement of one Of the largest under
taking firms of southern Wisconsin for
nearly a half century and had many
notable features.
Started Here In 1880.
On November the twenty-third, 1880,
Mr.. Hansen purchased a half interest
in the furniture and undertaking firm
of Nelson and Hansen, which had
rather modest quarters in building
located where the Virginian Theatre
now stands. Two years later he sold
his interest in this firm and purchased
the undertaking business of Michael
Beddessen and opened business for
himself in the room now occupied by
the Becker Cigar store on Main street.
In 1883 an expansion was made in the
furniture business of this store and
Michael Roders was admitted to the
firm, which became Hansen and Roders
and which had one of the largest
stores in Kenosha at that time. 1t was
located in the building now occupied
by the Hale Grocery on Main street.
Several years later Fred Huck be-
came partner in this business in the
place of Mr.. Roders and he in turn
gave place to Fred Becker and the new
firm of Hansen and Becker opened up
large furniture store and undertake
ing establishment in the building now
occupied by the Block Brothers store.
Leaves Furniture Business.
Twenty-eight years ago the under
taking business of the firm had grown
to such an extent that Mr.. Hansen
disposed of his interest in the furni-
ture store and devoted his interests
entirely to the work of funeral direct
ing. He purchased the property which
he has occupied since that time at the
- -
in the last quarter Of century has
built here q growing business.
In 1913 the firm WAS incorporated
as Thomas Hansen and Sons company
and the sons of Mr.. Hansen were
taken into the business, of which
Alvin T. Hansen is still actively en-
gagged in it.
Have Bought New Mortuary.
The year is also notable in the his
tory of the firm for another reason.
Early this summer Mr.. Hansen pur-
chased the Lewis home at Alb Park
avenue, which has been transformed
into an up-to-date mortuary and
chapel. The lower floor of the new
location will be given over entirely to
the work of the firm, the second floor
will be the home, and the third floor
will be display room. The house
has lent itself well to remodeling for
the purpose and will include a pretty
chapel as one of it's rooms.
1t is interesting that on the fortieth
anniversary of the business the new
home of the firm is practically ready
for occupancy.
Went to First School.
Mr.. Hansen holds another unique
position. among the undertakers of this
part of the country since he was a
student at the first embalming school
ever held in the United States-the
famous school conducted by Professor
Henry Joseph Clarke at Chicago in
1888.
An interesting commentary on athe
forty years of business which Hr. Han
sen has carried on in Kenosha, is found
in his present garage where he still
has the various funeral cars which he
has used in his business. There are
more than a half dozen of them
ranging from the old horse drawn
hearses of the past to the motor
driven ambulance and funeral cars,
just recently purchased.