My Genealogy Hound

HANSELL FAMILY. Hiram Hansell, superintendent of the Rittenhouse Moulding Works, in Norristown, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, is a representative of an old and honored ancestry which has been identified with the commonwealth from an early colonial period.

His paternal grandfather, Charles Hansell, was born in Upper Merion township, Montgomery county. He was educated in the country schools of his period, and was brought up to farming, in which calling he continued during his life. He was a Whig in politics, and an earnest and active representative of his party. Among the children born to him was William, born in 1818, in Upper Merion township, and died in 1880. He was educated after the same fashion as was his father, in the district schools. After completing his studies he mastered blacksmithing, and worked industriously at his trade during all his active years. From first to last he occupied various different shops in several different places, and during his later years prosecuted his business in Norristown, which was thenceforward his place of residence. He was a staunch Republican in politics and an uncompromising advocate of his political principles, but was never an aspirant for office. With his family he attended the Protestant Episcopal church. He married Miss Margaret Cummings, who was also a native of Montgomery county. Both are now deceased. Their children were as follows: George, William, James, Anna M., Deborah, and Hiram.

Hiram Hansell, the last named of the children of William and Margaret (Cummings) Hansell, was born in the city of Norristown, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, October 6, 1845. He was more favored in an educational way than were his parents and grandparents, for in his day there were excellent common schools in his native town, and he was privileged to attend the best of them. After completing his studies he went to Philadelphia and became a moulder’s apprentice in the shops of James Yocum & Co. He was just about to become entitled to the privileges and benefits of a “journeyman,” and at a time when employment in his line was more abundant and better paid than had been the case for several years, when (in 1862) his patriotic feeling moved him to devote his services to his country in its struggle for existence. In 1864, shortly after the expiration of his term of service, young Hansell enlisted in the One Hundred and Eighty-sixth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, in which he served to the close of the war, participating in the final glorious and victorious campaigns, and in some of the most noted engagements known to history. He had entered the army when eighteen years of age, and had not reached his majority when he had completed his military service and received his honorable discharge-a fine type of the volunteer soldier of the most splendid era in American history.

Returning home, Mr. Hansell set himself again to his trade, remaining with his former employers, Yocum & Co., in Philadelphia, for two years. A master of his calling in all its various departments, and an accomplished practical workman, he came to Norristown and secured employment in the Rittenhouse Moulding Works. His capability became apparent in every stage of the company’s operations, and he was advanced from post to post until he was made superintendent, a position which he has occupied to the present time, to the entire satisfaction of all with whom he has been associated, in whatever capacity they appear, whether as superiors, patrons or operatives. Mr. Hansell has at the same time occupied a place of usefulness and influence in the social and public life of the community. For fourteen years he served as chairman of the borough executive committee, for eight years he was a member of the board of health, and has been for many years president of the Fairmount Fire Company. In politics he has ever been an unswerving Republican, and has lent his influence and support to every Republican administration from the last days of the lamented President Lincoln to those of President Roosevelt. He is an active and prominent member of the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic, and of the Brotherhood of United Workmen. His personal traits are those which mark the modest but strong and resourceful man of affairs, who also cultivates the amenities of life, and meets his fellows in such ways as to beget mutual respect and confidence.

Mr. Hansell was twice married. His first wife was Miss Emma Casselberry, daughter of Arnold Casselberry, a retired business man of Norristown. She died in 1892, having borne to her husband four children-Howard, William, Emma and Margaret. Mr. Hansell subsequently married Mrs. Emily V. Cowden, a daughter of Jacob Cowden, of Norristown. Of this marriage there is no issue. Mr. Hansell is an attendant at the services of the Protestant Episcopal church; his wife is a Baptist.