WI BIO - Lafayette Co - HANSEN, Carl A.

1st Biography of Carl A. HANSEN
Commemorative Biographical Record of Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and 
Lafayette, Wisconsin, Containing Biographical Sketches of Prominent and 
Representative Citizens, and of Many of the Early Settled Families. Chicago: 
Beers, 1901, p 105

Carl A. HANSEN, M. D., the oldest practicing physician in point of service in 
Lafayette County [Wisconsin], was born in Kongsberg [Buskerud fylke], Norway, 
31 May 1844. He received his literary training in the unexcelled schools of 
his native land, and for several years prior to his coming to America, made 
an especial study of pharmacy, with the intention of entering the medical 
profession, and later attended medical school lectures at the University of 
Christiania [at Christiana, renamed Oslo].

In 1865 he started for the New World, and began his professional career at 
Brodhead, Green County, Wisconsin, but remained in that place only a year, 
when he went to Wiota, Lafayette County [Wisconsin], at the time an important 
mining town. After coming to this country, Dr. [Carl A.] HANSEN felt that it 
would be well for him to pursue a course of medical studies taught in 
America, and accordingly entered Bennett Medical College, Chicago [Cook 
County, Illinois], for a course of lectures. In 1876 he became a resident of 
Argyle [Lafayette County, Wisconsin], where he has since followed the 
practice of his profession, meeting with richly deserved success. His clear 
insight into human nature, his fine attainments, and his wide sympathy have 
made him a welcome visitor in the sick room and a clever and successful 
physician. He has a wide practice, and has found friends and a home in his 
adopted country. Dr. HANSEN is a member of the Wisconsin Eclectic Medical 
Society and of the National Eclectic Medical Society, and fraternally is an 
esteemed member of the Masonic Order.

In 1863 Dr. [Carl A.] HANSEN was united in marriage at Brodhead [Green 
County, Wisconsin] to Miss Sarah Jane CLEGG, who was born in Logan County, 
Ohio, 13 August 1844, and came to Wisconsin with her parents in 1854. Dr. 
[Carl A.] and Mrs. [Sarah Jane nee CLEGG] HANSEN have two sons, both of whom 
are successful practicing physicians: Charles O., born 02 December 1867, was 
graduated from Bennett Medical College, Chicago, and now resides in Neenah 
[Winnebago County], Wisconsin, engaged in the practice of his profession; 
Oscar L., a graduate of Rush Medical College, Chicago, is now practicing in 
Argyle [Lafayette County, Wisconsin]. 

2nd Biography of Carl A. HANSEN
History of Lafayette County, WI. Chicago: Western Historical Co., 1881, pp 
781-782

Dr. C. A. HANSEN, physician and surgeon, Town of Argyle, was born in the city 
of Kongsberg [Buskerud fylke], Norway, 31 May 1844; received an academic 
education; studied pharmacy from 1859 to 1863; went then to the University of 
Christiania, where he attended lectures until 1865, when he emigrated to this 
country; he first located at Brodhead, Green County, Wisconsin; moved from 
there to Wiota, this county [Lafayette County, Wisconsin], where he resided 
five years; in 1871 he moved to Argyle, where he entered in the practice of 
medicine; also opened a drug store; graduated at Bennett Medical College of 
Chicago in 1864; was made a Mason in 1868; owns town property. In politics 
he is a Democrat, and a believer in religion. Is Secretary of the Masonic 
Order, and member of the Wisconsin Medical Society. His wife, Sarah Jane 
CLEGG, was born in Logan County, Ohio, 13 August 1844; came to Wisconsin in 
1854 with her parents, and settled in Richland County [Wisconsin]; then 
removed to Brodhead and was married in 1865; they have had two children: 
Charles, born 02 December 1867; Oscar, born 02 April 1870.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly