My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM F. HANSBERGER, the popular Alderman from the Fourth Ward, who was elected on the Democratic ticket in the spring of 1892, is Chairman of the Committees on Taxes, and Lighting, and belongs to nearly every other committee on the Board. In 1878 he commenced traveling for the National Mail Company, and in 1881 began taking contracts for mail routes, having at the present time over five hundred of such contracts. The importance of his work may be estimated when it is known that he is obliged to give bonds double the amount of mail pay over $200,000, all in real estate. Associated with him are W. H. and J. R. Owens.

Grandfather Henry Hansberger, who was an extensive planter of Rockingham County, Va., died in his seventy-third year, on the old homestead, which was a grant of land given to his ancestors by Lord Fairfax. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, belonging to a State Militia company. Our subject’s father, Layton J. Hansberger, was born on the same old farm in Rockingham County, and was a minister of the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church, and a member of the Virginia Conference. He preached in all portions of the state, until shortly before his death, which occurred near Lynchburg, in 1877, when he was about seventy years of age. His marriage was celebrated about 1840, with Martha T. French, a native of Prince William County, Va. Her father, William French, was a Captain in the War of 1812, and owned the fine plantation known as “Green Level,” near Brentsville. Mrs. Hansberger died at the home of our subject in Sedalia, in 1890, being past her seventieth year. Her six children are all still living.

On the paternal side our subject is of German descent, while on the maternal side he is of English origin. He was born near Brentsville, Va., forty miles from Washington, D. C, May 25, 1843, and with his father resided in various places, owing to the fact that the latter was a Methodist minister. He was educated in the Episcopal Academy, at Fredericksburg, Va., and was preparing to enter Randolph-Macon College when the war broke out. March 10, 1861, he enlisted in the Confederate service under Major Belden, in Stuart’s brigade, being assigned to the cavalry. Eater he was in Chambers’ brigade, William Henry Lee’s division, Stuart’s corps. He participated in the seven-days fight near Richmond, went with Stuart’s troops on their raid, was active in the battles of Gettysburg, Yellow Tavern, Appomattox and Fredericksburg, and until the surrender of Richmond helped to defend that city. Though he had many narrow escapes he was never wounded, nor was he ever in the hospital. He lost about sixteen horses, nearly every one of them being shot, and his last horse was one which had cost him $25,000 in Confederate money. After surrendering at Appomattox, he started with Gen. Fitzhugh Lee to Mexico; he turned back, however, was paroled in June, and took the oath of allegiance in 1865.

From that time until 1867 Mr. Hansberger taught school in Halifax County, Va. The following year he went to Cumberland County, that state, and in August, 1869, came to Pettis County. For a few years he taught in different districts in this region, and in 1875 was elected County School Commissioner for a two-year term, during which time he also conducted schools. In 1878 his connection with the mail service began, and in the discharge of his duties he traveled from Maine to California, and from Florida to British Columbia. His contracts comprised every state and territory, and at the present time his longest route is one of two hundred and seventy miles. For several years he was in the real-estate business here, and laid out Hansberger Addition, which lies between Broadway and Ninth Street, and Harrison and Grand Avenues. At the corner of Broadway and Harrison Avenue, he built his own comfortable and commodious residence. At various times he has been interested in different building and loan associations, and was the first President of the Equitable Association.

In Meadville, Va., Mr. Hansberger and Mary E. Henderson were united in marriage, in 1866. The lady died in this county in 1877, leaving three children: James W., now of Des Moines, Iowa; and Martha F. and Mollie E., who are at home. January 6, 1880, Mary Owens became the wife of our subject. She was born in Delaware, and reared in Cass County, Mo., but came to this city to live in December, 1878. The only child of the second marriage is Vivian, who was born January 28, 1889. Fraternally Mr. Hansberger is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks.