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Mr. Hansel became actively interested in the work
of the Young Men's Christian Association and in 1882 he accepted the
position of general secretary of the association at St. Joseph,
Missouri, where he was instrumental in erecting the first
association building west of the Mississippi river, securing funds
sufficient to make all payments upon this building, which was
erected at a cost of one hundred thousand dollars. |
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Mr. Hansel remained for five years at St.
Joseph and then went to Kansas City, where he remained for three
years, during which time he was instrumental in raising the funds
and building the superstructure of the Young Men's Christian
Association building, already begun, the cost of which was two
hundred and ten thousand dollars. When he undertook the work
conditions seemed very unfavorable, for finances were at a low ebb
and the outlook was discouraging, but he fired the workers with his
own zeal and courage and the task was carried forward to successful
completion. |
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John W. Hansel, president of the Institute and Training School of Young Men's Christian Associations of Chicago, is making a tour, visiting the associations of California and other states of the Coast. He will spend several days with the associations in San Francisco and Oakland. The institute and school is one of the most important of the agencies for the training of leaders to carry on the work in the extension and development of the association works throughout the United States and British provinces. The greatest need of the association work is men, and it is estimated that not less than $25 will be needed each year for the next ten years to fill the vacancies and new positions in the various association callings. The school through its large conferences, held at Lake Geneva, Wis., is co-operating with the associations in the training of a loyal corps of volunteer association workers. During the past year 155 young men from twenty-five states and provinces have been enrolled in the courses of instruction and training for employed leaders, and 681 have been enrolled for the training of the volunteer workers. There is a large demand for trained secretaries and assistants in many of the cities of California at the present time.
San Francisco Chronicle, September 24,
1903 |
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September 1, 1910 Mrs. Hansel was then elected Third Vice President whose duties are overseeing the Children Department Mrs. Kahnt was then elected Treasurer.
Following the business meeting, Mrs. Van Ness in the interest of the Church Dept. took charge of the program and gave a very interesting little talk about missions. Mr. M. A. Travis then spoke on Foreign Missions and Mr. Hansel on the recent Congress of Laymen at Edinburgh. It was a most enjoyable afternoon and was thoroughly appreciated. Meeting adjourned to meet in two weeks with Mrs. Morris.
October 27, 1910
Mrs. Smith was elected to fill the vacancy left by Mrs. Sicks on the School Committee.
The meeting was then turned over to Mrs. Hansel who, after two numbers of music, gave the guests each a list of titles meant to convey to the industrious brave, the names of current magazines. Mrs. Van Ness & Mrs. House drew cuts for the prizes for guessing the most correctly. Mrs. Van Ness being the luckier of the two, was presented by Mrs. Hansel with a monthly magazine. The next meeting decided to be held at Mrs. Price's on Nov.
February 29, 1912 Mrs. Corse suggested that we take up the matter of federation.
On motion by Mrs. Hansel and seconded by Mrs. Jones that the Club make application for membership in the State Federation. Carried unanimously.
May 8, 1913 Vice President - Mrs. Hansel - 19 Cor. Secretary - Mrs. Woodhouse - 20 Rec. Secretary - Mrs. C. E. Heard - 13 Treasury - Mrs. Judin - all
September 18, 1913
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Church Roll 45.
John W. Hensel
46. Mrs. John W. Hensel |
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The News has received a pamphlet from Mr.
John W. Hansel, containing the articles of association of the First
Church of Collegeport, in
This federated
The aim is to affiliate and be in good standing
with all federating bodies: desiring to give and receive letters
upon a common basis, and willing to support any existing missionary
or benevolent movements of these churches, or one which may be
selected whose aim is the advancement of truth and righteousness.
The slogan of this church as to ideals is "broad but high." Members
are expected to live earnest Christian lives, the emphasis being
placed upon the discipleship of Jesus Christ, rather than upon
theological tenets and opinions. Many of the people of Collegeport, which is one of the flourishing towns of the midcoast country, settled by persons from all corners of the country, believe they have solved the problem of the struggling church of a small community by getting together into one big church that is broad enough to accommodate all shades of theology and flexible enough to impose no hardship upon any creed or conscience. The result of the association is understood to make it possible for the church to employ a capable minister and own a commodious, comfortable church building.
The spirit of progress in the
Reprinted in The Palacios Beacon, |
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The communion service used in the
worship services is the same one presented at an Easter service in
1912. It is inscribed, "Presented to the First Church of Collegeport
- Federated, by Mr. and Mrs. John W. Hansel and friends in other
states." |
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Mr. John W. Hansel who has been on a visit to
The young men are organized as the
“Princes of Jonathan,” under the leadership of John W. Hansel, who
had been a prominent Young Men’s Christian Association officer for
over twenty-five years. This is a semi-secret organization, with
activities very much like the Young Men’s Christian Association,
with strong emphasis on social service.
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AGNES HANSEL HARTER AT COLLEGEPORT The public will be privileged to enjoy a rare treat in the presentation of Mrs. Harter in song, recital on Saturday evening, April 12, when this gifted contralto, assisted by Mrs. E. C. Van Ness accompanist, will under the joint auspices of the Princes of Jonathan and the Woman's Club render a program of excellence rarely heard outside of large cities. Mrs. Harter's rich contralto voice has delighted audiences wherever she has appeared, having been privileged to pursue her studies in voice with such artists as Mme. Johanna Hess-Burr in tone culture; Thomas MacBurney in voice building; Mrs. Milward Adams in diction and Angel Patricolo the noted concert pianist.
Mrs. Harter is making a visit to Collegeport
before returning to her home in Palacios Beacon, April11, 1913 Mrs. Agnes Hansel Harter and children, who have been visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Hansel, for the past three months, left for her home in Chicago Wednesday.
Houston Post, June 1, 1913 |
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Matagorda County Tribune, September 5,
1913 |
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Matagorda County Tribune, September 19,
1913 |
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Hon. John W. Hensel, president of Fargo College and an honored resident of Fargo, is regarded as one of the able educators of North Dakota, holding to the highest standards and ever recognizing the fact that physical, intellectual and moral progress go hand in hand. A native of Peoria, Illinois, he was born March 6, 1853, a son of John W. and Mary A. (Little) Hansel, who were natives of Ohio and were married in Newark, that state. The father was a cabinetmaker by trade and at the time of the gold excitement in California crossed the plains to that state in 1849 with a mule team. After spending three years in the gold fields, where he met with moderate success, he returned by way of the Isthmus of Panama to the middle west, settling in Peoria, Illinois, where for many years he was engaged in the hardware business. Subsequently he turned his attention to the manufacture of his own patents, for the possessed inventive genius and gave to the world several valuable devices. He died in Indianapolis, Indiana, at the very venerable age of eighty-seven years, while his wife passed away in Oak Park, Illinois, at the age of seventy-eight. President John W. Hansel spent his youthful days in the home of his parents at Peoria, where he acquired a public school education, after which he was variously employed, beginning life's work in a machine shop as an engineer. Eventually he became associated with a wholesale drug firm of Peoria and continued successfully in that business until 1882. In the meantime he had become actively interested in the work of the Young Men's Christian Association and in 1882 he accepted the position of general secretary of the association at St. Joseph, Missouri, where he was instrumental in erecting the first association building west of the Mississippi river, securing funds sufficient to make all payments upon this building, which was erected at a cost of one hundred thousand dollars. Mr. Hansel remained for five years at St. Joseph and then went to Kansas City, where he remained for three years, during which time he was instrumental in raising the funds and building the superstructure of the Young Men's Christian Association building, already begun, the cost of which was two hundred and ten thousand dollars. When he undertook the work conditions seemed very unfavorable, for finances were at a low ebb and the outlook was discouraging, but he fired the workers with his own zeal and courage and the task was carried forward to successful completion. Mr. Hansel afterward cooperated with some of the association secretaries and laymen of the west in the organization of the Young Men's Christian Association College at Chicago with summer schools at Lake Genoa, Wisconsin. Upon the completion of the organization of the college he was chosen its first general secretary and later its president and continued in that capacity for fifteen years, when he was compelled to resign on account of his health. He was instrumental in making the school one of the two great institutions of its kind in the world. He cooperated in organizing the Lake Geneva Student Conference, which has since become famous throughout the world. After severing his connection with the Chicago school Mr. Hansel spent three years on the Gulf coast [Collegeport] and in September, 1913, accepted a call to the presidency of Fargo College, in which capacity he is now serving. The institution offers one of the strongest four year liberal arts courses in the northwest. It has had two Rhodes scholarships in the last four years and all of the work of the college received full credit recognition in the eastern universities.
In 1875 was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Hansel
and Miss Christina Watson Mowat of Peoria, and they have become the
parents of seven children, of whom three are living: Mr. and Mrs. Hansel are members of the Congregational church. She is a lady of broad and liberal culture and has been of great assistance to her husband. In his political views Mr. Hansel has always been an earnest republican and progressive and his opinions are the result of close study of the questions of the day. He participated in the progressive convention which nominated Theodore Roosevelt in 1912. One of the Fargo papers said of him: "Mr. Hansel's services to Fargo College already command the gratitude of every friend of the institution and of education. He has laid the foundation for a sound business procedure adequate to the large growth and coming needs; he has gone far to correct the prejudices that have handicapped the college hitherto; he has helped largely in freeing the college from a burden of debt; he has won a sympathetic hearing out of the state; he has won the confidence of us all by his candor, his kindly manner, his business-like methods and by his large faith and optimism."
North Dakota History and People: Outlines of
American History, Volume II, The S. J. Clarke Publishing
Company, 1917, Chicago, pages 15-16 |
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Fargo, N. D., Nov. 29.--John W. Hansel was elected acting president of Fargo college at a meeting of the board of that institution which was in session at the Gardner hotel all day yesterday and until late last evening. The resignation of President C. C. Creegan, for the past four years head of the school, was accepted and resolutions passed commending his work in building up the institutional departments of the college and increasing attendance. The fact that the institution is hard up and facing a financially stringent condition was not disguised. An accumulation of shortage, covering a period of ten years or more, has to be made up. The college was never more promising and prosperous in every line than now. Grand Forks Daily Herald, November 30, 1913
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Fargo, N. D., March 25.--John W. Hansel was elected president of Fargo college yesterday afternoon to succeed Dr. Charles C. Creegan, resigned. Mr. Hansel was chosen president at a meeting of the board of trustees held at the Gardner hotel. Since Dr. Creegan's resignation in the fall, Mr. Hansel has been acting president, but now steps into the executive office with full powers. Dean R. P. Robinson was elected vice president and assistant treasurer to take effect June 1. It is understood that Dean Brown will return next year to resume his duties as dean which have been most ably carried on by Mr. Robinson during the former's absence.
Grand Forks Daily Herald, March 26, 1914 |
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The subject of President Hansel's inaugural address was The Greater Fargo College. It was a thoroughgoing and statesmanlike presentation of the high mission is to be and how that mission is to be attained. In the afternoon at the Presbyterian church the faculty of Fargo College Conservatory gave an inauguration concert, which was greatly enjoyed by the large audience. In the evening, after a supper and reception at the Methodist church, an address was given by President King of Oberlin College. It was a noble and most fitting climax to the services of the day. His subject was The Ideal of the College. After defining it as "Mental and spiritual fellowship among men and mental and spiritual independence for individuals," he proceeded to show that the aim of the college should be to make thoughtful men and women. He then named certain tests by which a thoughtful man may be known, and called attention to the responsibilities and obligations of the educated man. A particularly pleasant feature was the singing by Mrs. Agnes Hansel Harter of Chicago, a daughter of President Hansel. She has a beautiful contralto voice, finely trained. Fargo faces the future with new courage and boundless faith. Fargo. R. A. B.
The Congregational and Christian World,
Volume 20, January 14, 1915, p. 755 |
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Fargo, N. D., Jan. 12.--The board of trustees of the Fargo college probably will act on Monday on the resignation of President John W. Hansel. Mr. Hansel asks release from his contract to assume a Y. M. C. A. war service position. President Hansel was for sixteen years head of the Y. M. C. A. college in Chicago and has received several urgent calls to enter the war service. President Hansel's resignation comes at a time when affairs of the Fargo college are in more or less uncertain condition because of financial difficulties.
Grand Forks Daily Herald, January 13, 1918 |
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John W. Hansel, L. L. D. and Mrs. Hansel have arrived in Miami for the season and are moving into the Long apartments at 233 N. E. Fifth street. Dr. Hansel was for 16 years president of Fargo College at Fargo, N. D. being the first president of that institution. Preceding his connection with Fargo College, he was for 16 years president of the Y. M. C. A. training college in Chicago and was the first president of that institution. Dr. and Mrs. Hansel have a wide acquaintance throughout the states and have many friends in Miami.
Miami Herald, December 6, 1928 |
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Mr. and Mrs. John W. Hansel, the former until recently president of Fargo College, Fargo, N. D., yesterday had established their residence at the Ell Wood Apartments, 2716 __ street, Berkeley. Their daughter, Agnes Hansel Harter, and her husband, Lloyd E. Harter, and family also are residing in the east bay at 483 Kales avenue, Oakland. The Hansels formerly resided in Chicago and in Richmond, Ind. Dr. Hansel, one of the founders and the first president of the Y. M. C. A. College in Chicago and the Summer Institute and School at Lake Geneva. Later he was president of the Fargo College in Fargo, N. D.
San Francisco Chronicle, December 29, 1929 |
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Berkeley, April 14.--Dr. John W. Hansel, 79, noted educator and pioneer Young Men's Christian association worker, who died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Lloyd E. Harter, 697 Alvarado road, yesterday following a short illness, will be interred Saturday afternoon. For nearly half a century Dr. Hansel was identified with the Y. M. C. A., becoming a national figure in the organization. A native of Peoria, Ill. he organized the first Young Men's Christian association in his own city in 1875. Later he was called to St. Joseph, Mo., where he built the first building in the middle west to be used exclusively for Y. M. C. A. work. After working as an organizer in Kansas City, Dr. Hansel went to Chicago to undertake the establishment of a training school for Y. M. C. A. workers. He also aided in the establishment of one of the first Y. M. C. A. summer schools, founded at Lake Geneva, Wis. For 17 years Dr. Hansel held the post of president of the Y. M. C. A. college at Chicago, ill health forced his retirement. For four years, following his retirement from Y. M. C. A. work, Dr. Hansel was president of Fargo College, North Dakota. Funeral services for Dr. Hansel will be held at the Chapel of the Chimes, Piedmont avenue, Oakland, Saturday. He is survived by a widow, Mrs. Christina Hansel; two daughters, Mrs. Harter of Berkeley and Mrs. Fred C. Brown of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and a son, John W. Hansel Jr., of Chicago. His son, vice president of a national advertising firm, is making a special trip to the Eastbay for the services here Saturday.
Oakland Tribune, April 14, 1932 |
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May
27 was a red-letter day in the history of Fargo College, owing to
the inauguration of Rev. John W. Hansel as President. The exercises
began with a procession of 300 begowned college presidents,
professors and alumni from various colleges, who marched from the
campus to the First Congregational Church. The program was in charge
of Chancellor John M. Walters, D D. Greetings were brought by
Governor Hanna for the state and by representatives of the city, the
North Dakota schools, the institutions of higher education, the
churches of he state, the Commercial Club of Fargo, the alumni, in
the person of Rev. F. H. Talbot, and the press. The Congregational
Board of Education presented as its spokesman President King of
Oberlin.