Source: "Portrait and Biographical Record - Published 1894 by Excelsior Publishing Co., Chicago" Pages 636 - 637

Charles Hanf is one of the oldest shoemakers and dealers in the city of Sheboygan. He was born November 23, 1836, in Saxe-Weimar, Germany, being a son of Godfred Hanf. In 1854 three of the children came to America, and located in Buffalo, N. Y. One of them, Theodore, died some two years later. Mrs. Krunitz and Charles live in Sheboygan, while two still reside in the Fatherland. Charles Hanf had learned, in his native country, the trade of glovemaker, but on coming to Buffalo turned his attention to the shoemaker's trade, completing it in one year. His next venture was as a sailor on the Lakes. Going to the Lake Superior country, he worked for several years in the copper mines. The year 1864 witnessed his arrival in the Evergreen City, where he at once commenced, in a small way, the manufacture of boots and shoes. The place where he started in business was at the same location where, in 1890, he erected a fine two-story brick building, 23x80 feet, one of the best storerooms on Michigan Avenue. Before moving to this county, Mr. Hanf had made a visit here, and on the 3d of July, 1861, wedded Miss Augusta, daughter of A. C. Festerling, one of the early settlers of Sheboygan County. Mrs. Hanf was born in Rerningrhode, Prussia, Germany, July 24, 1843, and when about three years of age came with her parents to this county.

Mr. and Mrs. Hanf have a family of three children, as follows: Matilda, the wife of Henry Hoppe, a prosperous jeweler of the Chair City; Louise, the wife of H. L. Roth, Secretary and Treasurer of Sheboygan Lime Works; and Lillie, who is still with her parents.

Politically, Mr. Hanf is a Republican, and by the people of the Eighth Ward has been honored by election to the City Council. Socially, he belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Odd Fellows, Druids, Royal Arcanum and National Union. From a business standpoint Mr. Hanf's career has been a decided success. Ably assisted by his estimable wife, he has risen from poverty to a place among the substantial business men of the Chair City.

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