Hanson-Allen Family

William Hanson

1.    Obituary - From The Fort Myers Press, Saturday, December 16, 1911 (p. 2, col. 3)

Dr. WILLIAM HANSON

It was with profound surprise and sorrow that the community learned of the death of Dr. William Hanson, which occurred last night at his home on Johnson Street. He was stricken suddenly at 8:30 o'clock while at his desk and passed away almost immediately. Funeral services were held this afternoon at 2 o'clock from St. Luke's Church and the body was laid away in the Fort Myers Cemetery.

Dr. Hanson had not been well for several weeks but was not confined to his bed. Illness in the family, which brought forth from him the most devoted attention, had kept him close to home, but to all appearances he was in his customary health. Yesterday morning he took a short drive as a needed outing and seemed to enjoy it very much. Throughout the day he seemed much brighter and stronger than usual.

The manner of Dr. Hanson's passing is so illustrative of the beautiful spirit of comradeship which existed between him and his wife that it is worthy of mention. During the day Mrs Hanson had written some versus with the purpose in view of inspiring the citizens of Fort Myers to take some immediate action toward establishing a hospital to meet local needs. As was their custom Dr. and Mrs Hanson were exchanging ideas on the subject manner and style of wording for the poem. When his heart began to fail he bowed his head silently. His heart beat stilled and his hand fell just as he finished the following lines:

Bring your nickels, bring your dollars,

Bring your bills and bring your checks.

The end came painlessly, and her husband's long and useful career was closed almost before Mrs Hanson had time to realize the blow which had fallen upon her.

Dr. Hanson was also actively about the duties of his profession up to within a few hours of his death. In the morning he assisted Dr. Brecht in performing a very delicate surgical operation.

An Englishman by birth, Dr. Hanson was one of the most loyal Americans. He was born in Essex 69 years ago and was very carefully educated, both as a gentleman and as a physician. He held the degrees of Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh, 1870, and Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh, 1870. He had a high standing as a physician and surgeon and was regarded as dean of his profession in Lee County.

In his earlier years Dr. Hanson spent a great deal of time in travel. He was cosmopolitan in his views and tastes and possessed a mind so cultivated, broad and versatile that he could grasp instantly all subjects that were presented for his consideration.

Dr. Hanson and his family came to Fort Myers in 1884 and have lived here ever since. He is survived by his widow and three sons, Bernard of Dallas, Tex., Newton and W. Stanley, the latter residents of Fort Myers.

The funeral was largely attended, all the physicians and surgeons of the city being present in a body. It was under the direction of C.J. Roberts and the service was conducted by the Rev. A.M. Hildebrand. Beautiful floral offerings expressed to the sorrowing family the sympathies of their multitude of friends.

(Copied by Mary E. Hanson from microfilm at the Fort Myers News-Press on April 24, 1973)

2.    Biography from the book History of Florida (details unknown), page 274.

WILLIAM HANSON M.D., was one of the first representatives of his profession to locate at Fort Meyers (sic), and for many years was a beloved physician of that locality.

He was born at Felslead (sic), Essex, England, October 6, 1842, and represented an old and substantial line of English ancestry. The coat of arms of the family was officially certified in 1652. Doctor Hanson was a son of Rev. George Lowden and Frances Jane (Surridge) Hanson. Doctor Hanson received his diploma in medicine from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons at Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1870. During the next nine years he practiced at Presteigne, Radnorshire, in Wales. Leaving the old country, he came to the United States and for three years engaged in practice at Paris Texas, and one year at Key West, Florida.

Doctor Hanson located at Fort Myers in 1884, but as that was then an exceedingly small community he kept up his surgical practice at Key West for some time. Many years ago he bought 640 acres of land a mile and a quarter from the City of Fort Myers, and developed a large amount of property in that vicinity. He served six years as president of the Lee County Medical Society, and for many years continued his professional work as a consulting physician. He was warden of the local Episcopal Church.

Doctor Hanson died December 15, 1911, when in his seventieth year. He married in England, March 27, 1870, Miss Julia Allen. She was born in the City of London, November 7, 1843, daughter of George Frederick and Maria (Day) Allen. Her parents were also natives of London.

Doctor and Mrs Hanson's oldest child was Newton, born January 23, 1872, and died December 21, 1911, just a week after the death of his father. He is survived by his widow, Margaret (Jack) Hanson, of Fort Myers, and two children, William B. and Maude Millicent. The second child, Bernard, lives at Dallas, Texas, and married Shelien Cox. The third child, Melville, died in infancy. The youngest is William Stanley Hanson, born November 27, 1883. He married Clara Penzold and has two children, W. Stanley, born September 21, 1914, and Marian Julia, born March 9, 1917.

Since the death of Doctor Hanson, Mrs Hanson and her son William Stanley have resided together at 1133 Monroe Street in Fort Myers. Mrs Hanson was liberally educated, being under governesses and tutors until she was fifteen and then she attended a college. Her many talents and activities have made her prominent at Fort Myers and over Florida in various lines of philanthropic and studious pursuits.

She is a director of a local branch of the Women's Auxiliary Missionary Society, is president of St. Luke's Guild, a teacher in the Sunday School of the Episcopal Church, is president of the Fort Myers Needlework Guild and state chairman of that organization, is chairman of the house committee of the Lee County Hospital, is a member of the Daughters of the King, and officially connected with several branches of the work of the Federation of Women's Clubs. For many years she has been deeply interested in Ornithology, and is chairman of the bird department of the Federation and also chairman of the bird protection department of the local club. She is also chairman of the department of the Seminole Indians. She is a member of the Civic Club, the Friday Musical Club, the W.C.T.U., and the Cemetery Improvement Association.

Mrs Hanson's talents have been manifested in drawing and writing, and her culture has been derived from wide reading and travel. She has written many articles on bird lore and other subjects, and has been a frequent contributor to the daily press and magazines.