HENRY HANSEN JR.

Henry Hansen Dies Suddenly at Two Rivers
Henry Hansen, 69, widely known retired Two Rivers business man whose downtown
Two Rivers tavern with its art glass front was a showplace along the lake shore
prior to World War I, died suddenly in his sleep in his apartment in the Hansen
block at 1606 Washington street, Two Rivers, Saturday night.
Earlier in the evening Mr. Hansen complained of feeling ill and retired to his
bedroom. His wife later noting his condition, summoned a physician, but efforts
to revive him failed. Although not in the best of health in recent weeks, he was
up and about and had planned a trip to Milwaukee with Mrs. Hansen early this
week.
Funeral services will be held at the Klein & Stangel Inc., funeral home, Two
Rivers, at 2 o’clock Wednesday afternoon, the Rev. M. J. Roehrdanz, pastor of
Emanuel Evangelical United Brethren church, officiating. Interment will be in
Pioneers’ Rest cemetery, Two Rivers. The body may be viewed at the funeral home
from 7 o’clock Monday night until the time of services.

Born in Two Rivers
Henry Hansen was born in Two Rivers, a son of the late Henry and Sophie Schmidt
Hansen, who were among the early couples to immigrate to Two Rivers from Germany.
His father, a cabinet maker by trade, worked at the old Mann Brothers pail factory
until the late eighties when he acquired a Two Rivers landmark on Washington street
from the late Bernard Richter. The building was rebuilt in 1900 to a two story
structure where the senior Henry Hansen established a tavern.
Henry Hansen took over the operation of the tavern from his father in 1905 after
working for a year at the old Aluminum Manufacturing company, predecessor to the
Aluminum Goods Manufacturing company. Seven years later in 1912 Mr. Hansen
remodeled the tavern, elegantly furnishing it with plush leather upholstered
quarter sawed oak booths, designed by the late Hans Meyer of the Nelson Lumber
company. Its front was rebuilt in art glass manufactured by the old Tremmel Art
Glass Works of Two Rivers, making the business place one of the most attractive
in this area.

Popular Spot For Years
Prior to the first world war, the Diamond Café, as it was then named, was a
favorite stopping place for salesmen and notables in the entertainment and
political field. Mr. Hansen was a lifelong and active Democrat but never aspired
for office.
In 1916 Mr. Hansen, in moving to Kewaunee to operate the old Kuke House, leased
his tavern to Charles Hooper, later a Cincinnati engarvel (sic). He returned to
resume operation of the place in 1919.
Came prohibition and Mr. Hansen removed the picturesque art glass front, which he
had preserved in the basement of his business place, and remodeled the place into
an ice cream parlor and restaurant. In 1926 Mr. Hansen sold the business place to
Lyman J. Nash and the late Robert Mohr, moving to South Gate, Calif., where he
operated a billiard parlor for six years. He returned to Two Rivers with Mrs.
Hansen in 1933, repurchasing the establishment from Mr. Mohr, and reconverted the
Diamond into a tavern and restaurant. Three years ago he retired, leasing the
enterprise to the present operator, Augusta Nauman.

Billiard Player
Mr. Hansen’s favorite diversion was pocket billiards and three cushion billiards
and was considered one of the outstanding players in this area since his youth.
During the early operation of his tavern Mr. Hansen took on the agency for the
old R.C.H. Automobile and prided himself with having the first car with electric
headlights in Two Rivers.
For nearly 30 years Mr. Hansen had been a member of the Two Rivers lodge of Elks
No. 1380.

Surviving are his widow, the former Augusta Schultz, whom he married in 1904and
two nieces, Mrs. Olga Klusmeyer of Manitowoc and Mrs. Marcella Kirsch of Milwaukee,
and a nephew, Chester Hansen of Detroit, Mich.
Manitowoc Herald Times, Monday, February 5, 1951 P. 2
*********************************************************************************************
[bur. 02-07-1951/age 69 yrs.]