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Hanser Family Collection

 Collection
Identifier: Collection ID-2031
Hanser Family Photo

Scope and Contents

This collection contains papers of several of the Hanser Family members. The majority of the material, however, belongs to Carl Johann Otto Hanser and his brother Georg Wilhelm Hugo Hanser. Other folders contain papers of Franz Hanser, their father who remained in Germany, and of Theodor Franz Otto Hanser, Hugo’s son. There is a series for each of the people described above.

C. J. O. Hanser’s series includes the chronologically arranged correspondence file (f.6) for the entire Hanser collection, since the recipients and/or writers of the various letters could not be determined in many cases. It seemed, however, that the majority of the letters were to or from C. J. O. Hanser. This folder includes a statement by C. F. W. Walther, dated 10 July 1855, regarding the interruption of Hanser’s studies for the ministry.

Another large portion of this series is the sermon file, which is arranged in the order of the church year, using the Latin festival names for the various Sundays. There is also a Sermon Book in f.49 which contains 5 sermons held in Aschaffenburg in 1886-87 and were dedicated to “my bride”. This book must have been written by C. J. O. Hanser since his brother Hugo died in 1885 and in one of Hugo’s obituaries it is listed that one Hanser sister lived in Aschaffenburg (Germany) and was visited by brother Otto at the time of Hugo’s funeral. Furthermore, a bound but fragile volume of handwritten C. F. W. Walther sermons, copied by C. J. Otto Hanser is part of this collection in f.50

Folder #4 contains miscellaneous biographical items including a typewritten text of the “Address Given at the Internment of Mrs. Elisabeth Kalb on 26 December 1938.” Mrs. Kalb was born on 23 April 1872 as the twin daughter of Wilhelm and Sophie Stählin. C. J. O. Hanser’s first wife’s maiden name was Stählin, she came from Augsburg, Germany. Genealogical research using the Album found in f.2, reveals that Mrs. Kalb was the niece of Augusta Hanser (nee Stählin).

A translated and typed copy of the C. J. O. Hanser’s book Irrfahrten und Heimfahrten, published in 1910, can be found in f.61. There are also several articles in the collection mentioning a significant coin collection which was contributed by the C. J. Otto Hanser family to the seminary and ultimately placed in Concordia Historical Institute. This collection is still a part of CHI’s holdings today. There is also a great array of pictures available of Otto Hanser.

The G. W. Hugo Hanser series consists of two original diaries that are transcribed into a typed format and partially translated into English. Extensive genealogical research had been done on the Hugo Hanser family. This is also a part of this series, including a large blueprint family tree. The sermons of Hugo Hanser are arranged by the church years. A copy of Philipp Melanchthon book Consilia fiue Ivdica Theologica, printed in 1600 and belonging to Hugo Hanser, was placed in CHI’s Library.

The Otto Franz Theodor series consists of 3 autograph books, various biographical material and a diary which is not transcribed or translated.

Folder List

Carl Johann Otto Hanser
  • f.1 Application for Citizenship
  • f.2 Album belonging to Augusta Hanser
  • f.3 Album - material found in it
  • f.4 Biographical Material
  • f.5 Cartoon “Der Lumpensammler”
  • f.6 Correspondence 1855–1903
  • f.7 Donor Information
  • f.8 Fragments
  • f.9 General Material
  • f.10 Missionstaube
  • f.11 News clippings
  • f.12 New Testament in Greek
  • f.13 Notes
  • f.14 Notebook: Homilarium
  • f.15 Notebook: Vergleichung der Predigten
  • f.16 Photos
  • f.17 Printed Material
Sermons
  • f.18 Advent
  • f.19 Christmas
  • f.20 New Year
  • f.21 Epiphany
  • f.22 Septuagesima
  • f.23 Sexagesima
  • f.24 Quinquagesima
  • f.25 Reminiscere
  • f.26 Oculi
  • f.27 Latare
  • f.28 Judica
  • f.29 Lenten 1
  • f.30 Lenten 2
  • f.31 Lenten 3
  • f.32 Lenten 4
  • f.33 Lenten 5
  • f.34 Palm Sunday
  • f.35 Maundy Thursday
  • f.36 Good Friday
  • f.37 Easter Sunday
  • f.38 Quasimodogeniti
  • f.39 Misericordias
  • f.39a Jubilate
  • f.40 Cantate
  • f.41 Rogate
  • f.42 Exaudi
  • f.43 Pentecost
  • f.44 Ascension Day
  • f.45 Trinitatis 1
  • f.46 Trinitatis 2
  • f.47 Trinitatis 3
  • f.48 Trinitatis 4
  • f.49 Book dedicated to his wife
  • f.50 By C. F. W. Walther, copied by Hanser
  • f.51 Confession (Beichte)
  • f.52 Confirmation
  • f.53 Dedication of Church (Kirchweih)
  • f.54 Funeral (Beerdigung)
  • f.55 Mission
  • f.56 Not written by C. J. O. Hanser
  • f.57 Day of Thanks and Prayer (Bet- und Danktag)
  • f.58 Reformation
  • f.59 Repentance (Bußpredigt)
  • f.60 Special
Writings
  • f.61 Writings: Irrfahrten und Heimfahrten — English translation by son, Rev. Arthur R. Hanser, ca. 1958
  • f.61a Writings: Irrfahrten und Heimfahrten — English translation: “Travels Near and Far,” edited with corrections by great-granddaughter Ruth Sauer Woehrmann, June 1998
  • f.62 Writing: various
Wilhelm Georg Hugo Hanser
  • f.63 Biographical Material
  • f.64 Church Difficulties in Johannisburg
Diary
  • f.65 No. 1 (Original)
  • f.66 No. 1 (Photocopy of Original)
  • f.67 No. 1 (Transcription)
  • f.68 No. 2 (Original)
  • f.69 No. 2 (Photocopy of Original)
  • f.70 No. 2 (Transcription)
  • f.71 No. 2 (Summary Translation)
  • f.72 Franz Hanser Material
  • f.73 Genealogy
  • f.74 Miscellaneous
  • *f.75 was removed after the final labels had been printed.
  • f.76 News clippings (other)
  • f.77 Photos
  • f.78 Report Card
Sermons
  • f.79 Advent/Christmas
  • f.80 Epiphany
  • f.81 Holy Week/Easter Season
  • f.82 Pentecost Season
  • f.83 Trinity Season
  • f.84 Special
Otto Franz Theodor Hanser
  • f.85 Autograph Books (3 each)
  • f.86 Biographical Material
  • f.87 Diary (original)

Dates

  • Creation: 1800 - 1965

Biographical / Historical

Carl Johann Otto Hanser was born on 7 September 1832 in Schopflohe, Bavaria, Germany, as the sixth child of Pastor Franz Hanser and his wife, the former Euphrosyne Johanna Renger. He was educated at the local public school as well as at the Gymnasium in Augsburg. His education was enhanced by his father teaching him Latin at an early age. He enrolled at the University of Augsburg in 1846. However, he had to discontinue due to his parents’ financial situation. Otto served as a soldier in the war against Denmark and then he went to sea. On his second sea voyage to New York he deserted and joined his brother Hugo (who emigrated in 1849) in New Jersey.

From there the two brothers headed west to St. Louis and Otto enrolled in Concordia Seminary on 30 August 1852. All his life he was plagued with painful headaches, which caused him to interrupt his studies at the seminary. Once again, he chose to become a sailor. He finally returned to his theological studies in 1858 and successfully graduated in January 1860.

His first call brought him to South St. Louis in Carondelet, where he served for 2 years. His next call was to Zion Lutheran Church in Boston, Massachusetts, where he was installed in October 1862. Otto Hanser was well known for his missionary work in the Eastern District. He was instrumental in founding congregations in East Boston, Roxbury, Crossing, Plymouth, and earned the name “The Father of conservative Lutheranism in New England”.

In October 1872 he received and accepted a call to Ft. Wayne, Indiana as the president of Concordia College, where he remained until 1879. He then moved back to St. Louis and served as pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Soulard for almost thirty years. He also served on the Missouri Synod board for foreign missions and the board of control for Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He edited Missionstaube and also wrote the book Irrfahrten and Heimfahrten (translated as “Travels Near and Far”).

Otto Hanser was married three times. His first wife, from 1861 until her death in 1872, was Augusta Stählin of Augsburg. They had six children: Adolph (b: 13 June 1862) Rudolph Carl (13 Dec. 1863-7 Sept. 1899); Otto (24 Feb. 1865-17 Nov. 1881); Selma (21 Mar. 1867-7 Oct. 1912) Helena (b: 26 Mar. 1868); Augusta (13 Dec. 1972-22 Sept. 1890). Otto’s second wife, Meta Schroeder, passed away soon after the birth of their son Heinrich (19 Dec. 1874-3 Aug. 1875). His third wife was Margarthe Deprez whom he married on 24 October 1875. Their three children were Johanna (b: 3 Sept. 1876), Hermann (b: 22 Sept. 1877) and Arthur (b: 21 June 1880). C. J. Otto Hanser died on 10 January 1910 in St. Louis.

Wilhelm Georg Hugo Hanser was born in Schopflohe, Bavaria, Germany on 13 July 1831. He was the fifth child born to Franz and Euphrosyne Hanser and was also educated in the local public school and later at the Latin School and the St. Anna Gymnasium in Augsburg. He emigrated to America at the age of 18. Four years later he enrolled in Concordia Seminary and graduated in May 1856. His first call brought him to Fishersville, Canada (Some documents state Rainham, Ontario, Canada). He served this congregation for four years. In 1860 he accepted a call in Johannisburg, Niagara County, NY where he served for seven years. These years near Buffalo were overshadowed by controversy and disagreement stemming from the teachings of the Buffalo Synod in conjunction with Pastors Grabau and von Rohr. Hanser’s next call brought him to Baltimore, Maryland, to become the pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, where he served until his death in 1885.

W. G. Hugo Hanser married the former Karoline Meier of St. Louis on 24 October 1856. They had seven children: Caroline Louise (2 Sept. 1857-23 Mar. 1943); Professor Otto Friedrich Theodor (15 Aug. 1859-21 Feb. 1834); Carl Robert Hugo (28 May 1861-2 Aug. 1932); Rev. Oscar Albert Rudolf (9 Sept. 1863-2 Oct. 1924); Martha (b: 18 Jan. 1871), Euphrosina (b: 13 Aug. 1873), and Friedrich (b: 30 June 1898). Hugo died on 29 July 1885 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Otto Franz Theodor Hanser was born on 15 August 1859 in Rainham, Ontario Canada (some records say Fishersille, Ontario, Cananda) as the second of seven children of Rev. W. G. Hugo Hanser and his wife Karoline Meier. He graduated from Concordia Seminary in June 1881 and received a scholarship to Johns Hopkins University where he received a doctorate in 1882, while he assisted his father with his mission work in Baltimore and Virginia.

He was ordained and installed in January 1882 at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in New York City. He also started to teach Greek, Latin and English to what is now Concordia College in Bronxville, New York. His next call brought him to Rockville, Connecticut, where he served from 1886 to 1901. Then he served a congregation in Racine, Wisconsin, for one year. In August 1902 he accepted a call to Huff, Indiana, where he stayed until 1907. On 11 August 1907 he was installed in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and served this congregation until he moved in 1910 to East Rutherford, New Jersey. His last call was in Brooklyn, New York, where he served in the Altenheim starting 10 November 1912.

Otto F. T. Hanser was married on 10 October 1882 to the former Marie Sophia Spilman of Baltimore. They had six children, of whom three died in infancy. The three surviving children were: Agnes Marie (b: 5 October 1887), Walther Otto (14 March 1890 - 22 May 1956), and Otto Craemer (b: 30 April 1891). Otto F. T. died on 21 February 1934.

Extent

2.7 Linear Feet (Six 5" legal boxes, one 2" letter box)

Language of Materials

English

German

Physical Location

A.02.02.2

Custodial History

Original collection ID: M-0020

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The majority of the Hanser material was donated by Hugo Hanser's son, Professor Otto Franz Theodor Hanser, and by Agnes Hanser, Otto F. T.'s daughter.

Title
Hanser Family Collection
Status
Completed
Author
Marvin A. Huggins
Date
April 13, 2012
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Concordia Historical Institute Repository

Contact:
804 Seminary Place
Saint Louis MO 63105 USA
314-505-7935