Page:History of Goodhue County, Minnesota.djvu/347

 HISTORY OF GOODHUE COUNTY 387 Hanson and Rev. Thomas L. Hanson." Martin, early in life left without a mother's care received his education in the public schools of Wanamingo, and then entered the Red Wing Seminary, at that time a much smaller institution than at present. In 1884 he received his diploma from that school, and was ordained the same year at Lee county. Illinois, his first charge being the Emanuel and East Emanuel churches at St. Paul. Minn. At the same time he served the congregations at Renville and Frost, Minn. In 1892 he was sent to Grand Forks, N. D., where he had pastoral charge of the district including the churches at Grand Forks, Reynolds, Buxton, Valle, Grafton, Nash, Crookston and Oslo. In 1898, when those in charge of the Red Wing Seminary were looking for a capable man for the presidency of that institu- tion, their attention was called to the young clergyman who a few years before had graduated from its doors with honors. He accordingly received the call and accepted, believing that in this position was a wider field of usefulness. His work since that time is too well known to need comment, and future historians of the institution will write of him that praise which it is not always fitting should be written of a modest man still in the prime of his activities. His work for five years as vice president of the synod, for six years as president of the same body, for four years as president of the district of North Dakota, and for many years as president of the Inner Mission of the Synod, in which position he is now serving, are a part of the chronicles of his denomination. Rev. Hanson has taken to himself as a companion in life, Caroline Runiee, of Crawford county, Wisconsin, daughter of Ole and Guri Runiee. natives of Norway. This union has been blessed with five children. Oscar A., born August 14. 1887, at St. Paul, Minn., died in infancy. Adolph M. was born September 11, 1888, at St. Paul. Babel G. was born November 24, 1890, in the same city. Reuben B. was born August 30, 1892. at Grand Forks, N. D., and George W., who is a general favorite with the faculty and student body of the seminary, was born under the shadows of the classic halls of that institution of learning August 4, 1899. The Orphans' Home at Vasa had its beginning in 1865, when four little children were thrown on the mercy and charity of others. Dr. E. Norelius conceived the idea of opening a place for them, and so a room in the basement of the old Lutheran Church at Vasa was fitted up. Soon, however, other children were found to be in need and this room became too small. With a little assistance Dr. Norelius purchased a small tract of land and con- structed a building, more properly a shanty. It was made of