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Below is a family biography included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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M. HANSEN, dealer in dry goods, Bloomington; was born in Saarburg, Germany, in 1839; in 1850, he came to America, and was engaged on the New York Central Railroad for thirteen years as brakeman, then baggage master and conductor; in 1864, he came West, and accepted a position as yard master at Springfield, for the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company; thence to Bloomington. Mr. Hansen’s first experience in mercantile life was clerking in a grocery store, for about one year; he then entered the sample-room business, and, in 1869, he engaged in his present business, which he has followed ever since. By hard work and good management he has become owner of a good dry-goods store. He married Miss Susan Wirz; they have three children. He has held the office of Alderman of his ward. He is a Democrat in politics.

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This family biography is one of 1257 biographies included in The History of McLean County, Illinois published by Wm. LeBaron, Jr. Co. in 1879.  View the complete description here: The History of McLean County, Illinois

View additional McLean County, Illinois family biographies here: McLean County, Illinois Biographies

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