Thomas C. Hansen, born November 12, 1842, in Schleswig, Germany, immigrated to the United States at age 25 and settled in Scott County, Iowa, where he farmed for 18 years. In 1883, he moved to Brule County, South Dakota, purchasing and expanding a 160-acre claim into a prosperous 800-acre farm. Hansen specialized in cattle, horses, and hogs, with around 300 acres under cultivation. Known for his progressive methods, he built a substantial home surrounded by a grove he planted himself. A Democrat by political affiliation, Hansen was married to Elizabeth Willrodt, and they had two children: Adolph and Annie.
Thomas C. Hansen, a prosperous and progressive farmer and stock grower of Brule County, was born in the province of Schleswig, Germany, on the 12th of November, 1842, and was there reared and educated, being identified with agricultural pursuits until he was twenty-five years of age, when he bade adieu to home and native land and set forth to seek his fortunes in America. Upon arriving in the new world, he made his way westward to Iowa, settling in Scott County, where he continued to be engaged in farming for about eighteen years, gradually rising on the ladder of success and making his way to a position of independence. In the early seventies, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Willrodt, a sister of L. H. Willrodt, who is now a prominent citizen of this county, being individually mentioned on another page of this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Hansen have two children, Adolph, who is a resident of Lyon County, Iowa, and Annie, who is the wife of Jacob Jurgensen, a successful farmer of Brule County, South Dakota.
In 1883, Mr. Hansen came to Brule County, Dakota, where he purchased a relinquishment claim of one hundred and sixty acres from his brother, later purchasing a timber claim. By subsequent purchases, he has added to the area of his holdings until he is now the owner of eight hundred acres of fine land, of which about three hundred acres are maintained under effective cultivation, while the remainder of the land is used principally for pasturage. Mr. Hansen is a successful raiser of cattle, horses, and hogs, giving a careful supervision to all details of his business and being one of the substantial farmers of the county. He has made the best of improvements on his place, including a commodious and substantial residence, which is surrounded by a fine grove of trees planted by himself. In politics, he is a Democrat and in religion, a free thinker.
Source: Robinson, Doane, History of South Dakota: together with mention of Citizens of South Dakota, [Logansport? IN] : B. F. Bowen, 1904.