"Man is a shrewd inventor, and is ever taking the hint of a new machine from his own structure, adapting some secret of his own anatomy in iron, wood, and leather, to some required function in the work of the world." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Clifford Benjamin Hanson was born on 15 April 1893 in Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo, Iowa to Jesse Spaulding Hanson (1871-1921) Wisconsin and Hattie Bates Hubbard Hanson (1856-1903) New York. Hattie was a widow with 4 children when she and Jesse married. She was 36 and he was 20. Clifford is the 1st of their 3 children.
Clifford's siblings:
Hattie and Orrin
Verra Hubbard (1877- )
Zeta Hubbard (1879-1925)
Merle Harriet Hubbard (1887-1968)
Jay Orrin Hubbard (1889-1980)
Hattie and Jesse
Lois Hanson (1895-1896)
Dorothy Hanson (1897-1979)
Jesse and Zeta
Muriel Harriet Hanson (1908-1987)
Marjorie Verna Hanson (1914-1980)
Roger Jesse Hanson (1916-1979)
Clifford showed his promise as a businessman and adrenaline junky at an early age. He spent his young days mowing lawns and weeding the onions to save money for fast horses, then fast motorcycles, fast cars, fast boats and finally planes. He was quite fast on foot as well, especially when being chased by Zeta, who was usually holding a frying pan in one hand. He held the world record for fastest time in a hydroplane boat that he built himself.( 1939) Clifford was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. He was a prominent businessman and active in his community.
Life in Clear Lake consisted of winter's skating out on the lake when it would first freeze over to get the ducks out of the frozen ice. He states that he went into the water 3 times one winter and was lucky not to drown. ..."I spent whole summers fishing for bullheads in Willow Creek which crossed the road just east of the cemetery. It wound all over, but now has been dredged out and all the romance removed. The fishing was about 1900."
On 6 July 1911 he married Osa Marion Whitney (1894-1926) daughter of Henry Clay Whitney (1845-1918) New York and Mary Ann Weaver (1853-1930) England also of Clear Lake. He was 18 and she was 17. They had 4 daughters:
Shirley De Ette Hanson (1912-1995)
Lois Mary Hanson (1913-2001)
Iceland Madge Hanson (1916-1995)
Osa May Hanson (1918-1977)
In 1911, just after Clifford and Osa Married, his father Jesse lost his leg in an accident. Clifford and Osa returned to Clear Lake and he took over his father's garage, the first in Clear Lake. It helped that by this time he was the best self taught mechanic around.
In December 1912, in a letter from Aunt Dot, she writes that the school burned down and that Clifford was a volunteer Fireman. He raced to the school but it was so cold that their hoses froze in their hands and there was nothing they could do. She goes on to say that Clifford was the first to volunteer for the most dangerous duties.
In June 1913, in the Clear Lake Paper it was announced...Starting Soon, Clear Lake is going to have a union delivery service. Everything from the grocery stores and markets to be delivered on scheduled time by motor truck. Clifford Hanson will make deliveries for stores and meat markets promptly. This also appeared in the paper in 1963 from the 50 years ago section.
On 11 April 1926 his gentle and beloved wife died of TB in El Paso Texas, leaving him a young widower. Clifford would marry 3 more times:
To his wife's sister, 9 years his Sr.
Daisy Madge Whitney Osborne (1885-1948)
(July 1928-May 1931)
Pauline E. Harlow (1906- ? )
(October 1932-October1945)
His wife at the time of his death
Nicole Suzanne Soulages (1914-2007)
(1952-1961)
In 1929 Clifford brought his young family to Reno Nevada and made his home, business and social life in the area. He was a great athlete, sportsman and a gifted mechanic. He even made 1/4 size violins for his young daughters. He was gifted musically and could write a really good letter. Clifford was an avid inventor. Somethings he patented his inventions and others he didn't. For him, it wasn't anything but the pure love of the invention.
3 August 1938 Reno Evening Gazette:" Hanson Achieves Grand Slam on Speed Course."
Having scored a grand slam on the California speedboat course this year, Clifford B. Hanson brought his boat "Reno" home this week and will rest until early next month before venturing into further competition.
The Reno speed boat king completed his grand slam on Sunday with a victory in the 375 cubic inch displacement class in the Annual Hearst Regatta at Long Beach. There were 12 entries in the race and he tapped some of them twice and finished a full mile ahead of the nearest boat.
An estimated 30,000 person's saw the Regatta which drew 120 entries in all races.
During this year Hanson has taken first place in class racing in Long Beach, Oakland, Sacramento and San Jose. On Labor Day he will defend his perpetual trophy on Lake Merritt in Oakland.
Even though he lived in Reno, he traveled to Clear Lake often with his family and gave speeches at clubs while in town. He was a Clear Lake Boy at heart.
Clifford died of a heart attack on 4 July 1961. I think this was fitting for a man who lived on the edge with color and style.
They put an obit in the Reno paper as well as Clear Lake.
Clifford was a member of the Reno Board of Realtors and the Washoe County Golf Club. He was also a member of The Lions Club.
If you wish to see a bit of Clifford's character, watch the Disney Classic "Mr. Toad" Clifford could have been the inspiration for that character. I know why it has always been my favorite!
Clifford Benjamin Hanson was born on 15 April 1893 in Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo, Iowa to Jesse Spaulding Hanson (1871-1921) Wisconsin and Hattie Bates Hubbard Hanson (1856-1903) New York. Hattie was a widow with 4 children when she and Jesse married. She was 36 and he was 20. Clifford is the 1st of their 3 children.
Clifford's siblings:
Hattie and Orrin
Verra Hubbard (1877- )
Zeta Hubbard (1879-1925)
Merle Harriet Hubbard (1887-1968)
Jay Orrin Hubbard (1889-1980)
Hattie and Jesse
Lois Hanson (1895-1896)
Dorothy Hanson (1897-1979)
Jesse and Zeta
Muriel Harriet Hanson (1908-1987)
Marjorie Verna Hanson (1914-1980)
Roger Jesse Hanson (1916-1979)
Clifford showed his promise as a businessman and adrenaline junky at an early age. He spent his young days mowing lawns and weeding the onions to save money for fast horses, then fast motorcycles, fast cars, fast boats and finally planes. He was quite fast on foot as well, especially when being chased by Zeta, who was usually holding a frying pan in one hand. He held the world record for fastest time in a hydroplane boat that he built himself.( 1939) Clifford was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. He was a prominent businessman and active in his community.
Life in Clear Lake consisted of winter's skating out on the lake when it would first freeze over to get the ducks out of the frozen ice. He states that he went into the water 3 times one winter and was lucky not to drown. ..."I spent whole summers fishing for bullheads in Willow Creek which crossed the road just east of the cemetery. It wound all over, but now has been dredged out and all the romance removed. The fishing was about 1900."
On 6 July 1911 he married Osa Marion Whitney (1894-1926) daughter of Henry Clay Whitney (1845-1918) New York and Mary Ann Weaver (1853-1930) England also of Clear Lake. He was 18 and she was 17. They had 4 daughters:
Shirley De Ette Hanson (1912-1995)
Lois Mary Hanson (1913-2001)
Iceland Madge Hanson (1916-1995)
Osa May Hanson (1918-1977)
In 1911, just after Clifford and Osa Married, his father Jesse lost his leg in an accident. Clifford and Osa returned to Clear Lake and he took over his father's garage, the first in Clear Lake. It helped that by this time he was the best self taught mechanic around.
In December 1912, in a letter from Aunt Dot, she writes that the school burned down and that Clifford was a volunteer Fireman. He raced to the school but it was so cold that their hoses froze in their hands and there was nothing they could do. She goes on to say that Clifford was the first to volunteer for the most dangerous duties.
In June 1913, in the Clear Lake Paper it was announced...Starting Soon, Clear Lake is going to have a union delivery service. Everything from the grocery stores and markets to be delivered on scheduled time by motor truck. Clifford Hanson will make deliveries for stores and meat markets promptly. This also appeared in the paper in 1963 from the 50 years ago section.
On 11 April 1926 his gentle and beloved wife died of TB in El Paso Texas, leaving him a young widower. Clifford would marry 3 more times:
To his wife's sister, 9 years his Sr.
Daisy Madge Whitney Osborne (1885-1948)
(July 1928-May 1931)
Pauline E. Harlow (1906- ? )
(October 1932-October1945)
His wife at the time of his death
Nicole Suzanne Soulages (1914-2007)
(1952-1961)
In 1929 Clifford brought his young family to Reno Nevada and made his home, business and social life in the area. He was a great athlete, sportsman and a gifted mechanic. He even made 1/4 size violins for his young daughters. He was gifted musically and could write a really good letter. Clifford was an avid inventor. Somethings he patented his inventions and others he didn't. For him, it wasn't anything but the pure love of the invention.
3 August 1938 Reno Evening Gazette:" Hanson Achieves Grand Slam on Speed Course."
Having scored a grand slam on the California speedboat course this year, Clifford B. Hanson brought his boat "Reno" home this week and will rest until early next month before venturing into further competition.
The Reno speed boat king completed his grand slam on Sunday with a victory in the 375 cubic inch displacement class in the Annual Hearst Regatta at Long Beach. There were 12 entries in the race and he tapped some of them twice and finished a full mile ahead of the nearest boat.
An estimated 30,000 person's saw the Regatta which drew 120 entries in all races.
During this year Hanson has taken first place in class racing in Long Beach, Oakland, Sacramento and San Jose. On Labor Day he will defend his perpetual trophy on Lake Merritt in Oakland.
Even though he lived in Reno, he traveled to Clear Lake often with his family and gave speeches at clubs while in town. He was a Clear Lake Boy at heart.
Clifford died of a heart attack on 4 July 1961. I think this was fitting for a man who lived on the edge with color and style.
They put an obit in the Reno paper as well as Clear Lake.
Clifford was a member of the Reno Board of Realtors and the Washoe County Golf Club. He was also a member of The Lions Club.
If you wish to see a bit of Clifford's character, watch the Disney Classic "Mr. Toad" Clifford could have been the inspiration for that character. I know why it has always been my favorite!
"Man is a shrewd inventor, and is ever taking the hint of a new machine from his own structure, adapting some secret of his own anatomy in iron, wood, and leather, to some required function in the work of the world." Ralph Waldo Emerson
Clifford Benjamin Hanson was born on 15 April 1893 in Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo, Iowa to Jesse Spaulding Hanson (1871-1921) Wisconsin and Hattie Bates Hubbard Hanson (1856-1903) New York. Hattie was a widow with 4 children when she and Jesse married. She was 36 and he was 20. Clifford is the 1st of their 3 children.
Clifford's siblings:
Hattie and Orrin
Verra Hubbard (1877- )
Zeta Hubbard (1879-1925)
Merle Harriet Hubbard (1887-1968)
Jay Orrin Hubbard (1889-1980)
Hattie and Jesse
Lois Hanson (1895-1896)
Dorothy Hanson (1897-1979)
Jesse and Zeta
Muriel Harriet Hanson (1908-1987)
Marjorie Verna Hanson (1914-1980)
Roger Jesse Hanson (1916-1979)
Clifford showed his promise as a businessman and adrenaline junky at an early age. He spent his young days mowing lawns and weeding the onions to save money for fast horses, then fast motorcycles, fast cars, fast boats and finally planes. He was quite fast on foot as well, especially when being chased by Zeta, who was usually holding a frying pan in one hand. He held the world record for fastest time in a hydroplane boat that he built himself.( 1939) Clifford was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. He was a prominent businessman and active in his community.
Life in Clear Lake consisted of winter's skating out on the lake when it would first freeze over to get the ducks out of the frozen ice. He states that he went into the water 3 times one winter and was lucky not to drown. ..."I spent whole summers fishing for bullheads in Willow Creek which crossed the road just east of the cemetery. It wound all over, but now has been dredged out and all the romance removed. The fishing was about 1900."
On 6 July 1911 he married Osa Marion Whitney (1894-1926) daughter of Henry Clay Whitney (1845-1918) New York and Mary Ann Weaver (1853-1930) England also of Clear Lake. He was 18 and she was 17. They had 4 daughters:
Shirley De Ette Hanson (1912-1995)
Lois Mary Hanson (1913-2001)
Iceland Madge Hanson (1916-1995)
Osa May Hanson (1918-1977)
In 1911, just after Clifford and Osa Married, his father Jesse lost his leg in an accident. Clifford and Osa returned to Clear Lake and he took over his father's garage, the first in Clear Lake. It helped that by this time he was the best self taught mechanic around.
In December 1912, in a letter from Aunt Dot, she writes that the school burned down and that Clifford was a volunteer Fireman. He raced to the school but it was so cold that their hoses froze in their hands and there was nothing they could do. She goes on to say that Clifford was the first to volunteer for the most dangerous duties.
In June 1913, in the Clear Lake Paper it was announced...Starting Soon, Clear Lake is going to have a union delivery service. Everything from the grocery stores and markets to be delivered on scheduled time by motor truck. Clifford Hanson will make deliveries for stores and meat markets promptly. This also appeared in the paper in 1963 from the 50 years ago section.
On 11 April 1926 his gentle and beloved wife died of TB in El Paso Texas, leaving him a young widower. Clifford would marry 3 more times:
To his wife's sister, 9 years his Sr.
Daisy Madge Whitney Osborne (1885-1948)
(July 1928-May 1931)
Pauline E. Harlow (1906- ? )
(October 1932-October1945)
His wife at the time of his death
Nicole Suzanne Soulages (1914-2007)
(1952-1961)
In 1929 Clifford brought his young family to Reno Nevada and made his home, business and social life in the area. He was a great athlete, sportsman and a gifted mechanic. He even made 1/4 size violins for his young daughters. He was gifted musically and could write a really good letter. Clifford was an avid inventor. Somethings he patented his inventions and others he didn't. For him, it wasn't anything but the pure love of the invention.
3 August 1938 Reno Evening Gazette:" Hanson Achieves Grand Slam on Speed Course."
Having scored a grand slam on the California speedboat course this year, Clifford B. Hanson brought his boat "Reno" home this week and will rest until early next month before venturing into further competition.
The Reno speed boat king completed his grand slam on Sunday with a victory in the 375 cubic inch displacement class in the Annual Hearst Regatta at Long Beach. There were 12 entries in the race and he tapped some of them twice and finished a full mile ahead of the nearest boat.
An estimated 30,000 person's saw the Regatta which drew 120 entries in all races.
During this year Hanson has taken first place in class racing in Long Beach, Oakland, Sacramento and San Jose. On Labor Day he will defend his perpetual trophy on Lake Merritt in Oakland.
Even though he lived in Reno, he traveled to Clear Lake often with his family and gave speeches at clubs while in town. He was a Clear Lake Boy at heart.
Clifford died of a heart attack on 4 July 1961. I think this was fitting for a man who lived on the edge with color and style.
They put an obit in the Reno paper as well as Clear Lake.
Clifford was a member of the Reno Board of Realtors and the Washoe County Golf Club. He was also a member of The Lions Club.
If you wish to see a bit of Clifford's character, watch the Disney Classic "Mr. Toad" Clifford could have been the inspiration for that character. I know why it has always been my favorite!
Clifford Benjamin Hanson was born on 15 April 1893 in Clear Lake, Cerro Gordo, Iowa to Jesse Spaulding Hanson (1871-1921) Wisconsin and Hattie Bates Hubbard Hanson (1856-1903) New York. Hattie was a widow with 4 children when she and Jesse married. She was 36 and he was 20. Clifford is the 1st of their 3 children.
Clifford's siblings:
Hattie and Orrin
Verra Hubbard (1877- )
Zeta Hubbard (1879-1925)
Merle Harriet Hubbard (1887-1968)
Jay Orrin Hubbard (1889-1980)
Hattie and Jesse
Lois Hanson (1895-1896)
Dorothy Hanson (1897-1979)
Jesse and Zeta
Muriel Harriet Hanson (1908-1987)
Marjorie Verna Hanson (1914-1980)
Roger Jesse Hanson (1916-1979)
Clifford showed his promise as a businessman and adrenaline junky at an early age. He spent his young days mowing lawns and weeding the onions to save money for fast horses, then fast motorcycles, fast cars, fast boats and finally planes. He was quite fast on foot as well, especially when being chased by Zeta, who was usually holding a frying pan in one hand. He held the world record for fastest time in a hydroplane boat that he built himself.( 1939) Clifford was a member of the Civil Air Patrol. He was a prominent businessman and active in his community.
Life in Clear Lake consisted of winter's skating out on the lake when it would first freeze over to get the ducks out of the frozen ice. He states that he went into the water 3 times one winter and was lucky not to drown. ..."I spent whole summers fishing for bullheads in Willow Creek which crossed the road just east of the cemetery. It wound all over, but now has been dredged out and all the romance removed. The fishing was about 1900."
On 6 July 1911 he married Osa Marion Whitney (1894-1926) daughter of Henry Clay Whitney (1845-1918) New York and Mary Ann Weaver (1853-1930) England also of Clear Lake. He was 18 and she was 17. They had 4 daughters:
Shirley De Ette Hanson (1912-1995)
Lois Mary Hanson (1913-2001)
Iceland Madge Hanson (1916-1995)
Osa May Hanson (1918-1977)
In 1911, just after Clifford and Osa Married, his father Jesse lost his leg in an accident. Clifford and Osa returned to Clear Lake and he took over his father's garage, the first in Clear Lake. It helped that by this time he was the best self taught mechanic around.
In December 1912, in a letter from Aunt Dot, she writes that the school burned down and that Clifford was a volunteer Fireman. He raced to the school but it was so cold that their hoses froze in their hands and there was nothing they could do. She goes on to say that Clifford was the first to volunteer for the most dangerous duties.
In June 1913, in the Clear Lake Paper it was announced...Starting Soon, Clear Lake is going to have a union delivery service. Everything from the grocery stores and markets to be delivered on scheduled time by motor truck. Clifford Hanson will make deliveries for stores and meat markets promptly. This also appeared in the paper in 1963 from the 50 years ago section.
On 11 April 1926 his gentle and beloved wife died of TB in El Paso Texas, leaving him a young widower. Clifford would marry 3 more times:
To his wife's sister, 9 years his Sr.
Daisy Madge Whitney Osborne (1885-1948)
(July 1928-May 1931)
Pauline E. Harlow (1906- ? )
(October 1932-October1945)
His wife at the time of his death
Nicole Suzanne Soulages (1914-2007)
(1952-1961)
In 1929 Clifford brought his young family to Reno Nevada and made his home, business and social life in the area. He was a great athlete, sportsman and a gifted mechanic. He even made 1/4 size violins for his young daughters. He was gifted musically and could write a really good letter. Clifford was an avid inventor. Somethings he patented his inventions and others he didn't. For him, it wasn't anything but the pure love of the invention.
3 August 1938 Reno Evening Gazette:" Hanson Achieves Grand Slam on Speed Course."
Having scored a grand slam on the California speedboat course this year, Clifford B. Hanson brought his boat "Reno" home this week and will rest until early next month before venturing into further competition.
The Reno speed boat king completed his grand slam on Sunday with a victory in the 375 cubic inch displacement class in the Annual Hearst Regatta at Long Beach. There were 12 entries in the race and he tapped some of them twice and finished a full mile ahead of the nearest boat.
An estimated 30,000 person's saw the Regatta which drew 120 entries in all races.
During this year Hanson has taken first place in class racing in Long Beach, Oakland, Sacramento and San Jose. On Labor Day he will defend his perpetual trophy on Lake Merritt in Oakland.
Even though he lived in Reno, he traveled to Clear Lake often with his family and gave speeches at clubs while in town. He was a Clear Lake Boy at heart.
Clifford died of a heart attack on 4 July 1961. I think this was fitting for a man who lived on the edge with color and style.
They put an obit in the Reno paper as well as Clear Lake.
Clifford was a member of the Reno Board of Realtors and the Washoe County Golf Club. He was also a member of The Lions Club.
If you wish to see a bit of Clifford's character, watch the Disney Classic "Mr. Toad" Clifford could have been the inspiration for that character. I know why it has always been my favorite!
Inscription
CLIFFORD B. HANSON
1893-1961
Family Members
Siblings
Half Siblings
