Christian Hansen Jr. (October 16, 1931 – May 14, 2023) was an American businessman and government official from Vermont. A Republican, he was best known for his service as United States Marshal for the District of Vermont from 1969 to 1977 and again from 1982 to 1994.
Christian Hansen Jr. | |
---|---|
United States Marshal for the District of Vermont | |
In office 1982–1994 | |
Preceded by | Earle B. McLaughlin |
Succeeded by | John Edward Rouille |
In office 1969–1977 | |
Preceded by | Thomas W. Sorrell |
Succeeded by | Earle B. McLaughlin |
Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from the Windham 4–3 district | |
In office January 7, 1981 – April 22, 1982 | |
Preceded by | Timothy J. O'Connor |
Succeeded by | Dart W. Everett |
Personal details | |
Born | Fitchburg, Massachusetts, U.S. | October 6, 1931
Died | May 14, 2023 Bradenton, Florida, U.S. | (aged 91)
Resting place | Hillside Cemetery, Castleton, Vermont, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Nancy C. Fletcher (m. 1955–2021, her death) |
Children | 3 |
Education | Fitchburg State University (attended) Stevens Business College (Fitchburg, Massachusetts) (attended) |
Occupation | Law enforcement officer |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | ![]() |
Years of service | 1951-1955 |
Rank | ![]() |
Early life
editChristian Hansen Jr. was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, on October 16, 1931, a son of Christian Hansen Sr. and Margaret Hansen.[1] He attended the schools of Fitchburg, and graduated from Fitchburg High School in 1949.[2] Hansen attended Fitchburg State University and Stevens Business College of Fitchburg.[3][4]
Hansen served in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955 and attained the rank of staff sergeant.[1][5][6] He completed basic training at Sampson Air Force Base, New York, then carried out assignments at Lake City Air Force Station, Tennessee, and Donaldson Air Force Base, South Carolina.[7][8][9]
Start of career
editAfter his military service, Hansen resided in Leominster and was employed by New England Telephone and Telegraph Company (NET&T); beginning as a business office representative in the company's Fitchburg office in 1955, he became a sales representative in 1957, then a corporate communications consultant, followed in February 1965 by promotion to business office manager in St. Albans, Vermont.[10] In December 1965, Hansen was transferred to the business office manager's position at NET&T's office in Brattleboro.[11] While residing in St. Albans, Hansen served as a deputy sheriff for Franklin County, and after moving to Brattleboro, he was a Windham County deputy sheriff.[12]
Interested in politics as a Republican, in 1968 Hansen was active in the gubernatorial campaign of James L. Oakes.[13] Oakes lost the Republican nomination to Deane C. Davis, after which Hansen was active in the successful Davis campaign.[13] In March 1969, Hansen and his wife purchased a Brattleboro flower shop, Taylor for Flowers.[14]
United States Marshal
editAs a result of Hansen's connections to the Republican Party, when Republican Richard Nixon assumed the presidency in January 1969, Hansen was considered for appointment as Vermont's United States Marshal.[13] Vermont's senior U.S. Senator, Republican George Aiken, considered Hansen and Howard P. Lunderville, a member of the Vermont House of Representatives from Williston, and decided to recommend Hansen.[13] Nixon nominated Hansen in May 1969,[15] and he was confirmed in June.[16] After Nixon was reelected in 1972, he nominated Hansen for a second term, which was confirmed in October 1973.[17] He served until August 1977, when President Jimmy Carter, a Democrat, nominated Earle B. McLaughlin, the sheriff of Chittenden County, to succeed Hansen.[18]
Later career
editAfter leaving the Marshal's office, Hansen was the owner and operator of Avenue Grocery Store in Brattleboro.[1] In 1978, he was an unsuccessful candidate for the Republican nomination for Windham County assistant judge.[19] In 1980, he was the successful Republican nominee to succeed Timothy J. O'Connor as the Windham 4-3 district member in the Vermont House of Representatives.[20] Hansen served in the House from January 7, 1981 to April 22, 1982, and was succeeded by Dart W. Everett.[21]
Return to Marshal's office
editIn 1980, Republican Ronald Reagan won the presidency and in December 1981 he appointed Hansen to succeed Earle McLaughlin as Vermont's U.S. Marshal.[22] He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in March 1982[23] and was sworn in on April 26.[24]
During his second tenure as Marshal, Hansen relocated from Brattleboro to South Burlington.[25] Hansen continued to serve until September 1994.[3] President Bill Clinton, a Democrat, took office in January 1993, and in October 1994 he appointed John Edward Rouille as Hansen's successor.[26] In retirement, Hansen became a resident of Rutland and spent winters in Florida.[27]
Personal life and death
editIn 1955, Hansen married Nancy C. Fletcher (1934–2021).[27] They were the parents of three children— Susan, Cindy, and Mark.[27]
Hansen died in Bradenton, Florida, on May 14, 2023.[28] Hansen was buried at Hillside Cemetery in Castleton, Vermont.[27]
References
edit- ^ a b c Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. House of Representatives (1985). Witness Protection Act: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Courts, Civil Liberties and the Administration of Justice. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 122 – via Google Books.
- ^ "83d Graduation of FHS Thursday Numbers 242". Fitchburg Sentinel. First page available at Newspapers.com/clip/27802616/high-school-graduation/. Fitchburg, MA. June 17, 1949. pp. 1, 10 – via Newspapers.com.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: others (link) - ^ a b Donoghue, Mike (September 26, 1994). "Marshal Hansen rides into sunset". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "FHS Hoop Five Open Season Against Alumni". Fitchburg Sentinel. Fitchburg, MA. December 23, 1949. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Local News: Mr and Mrs. Christian Hansen". Fitchburg Sentinel. Fitchburg, MA. August 4, 1951. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Douglas, Jim (1989). Vermont Legislative Directory. Montpelier, VT: Vermont Secretary of State. p. 714 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Mr. and Mrs. Christian Hansen". Fitchburg Sentinel. Fitchburg, MA. August 4, 1951. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Scouts Return from Convention". Fitchburg Sentinel. Fitchburg, MA. August 4, 1951. p. 3 – via NewspaperArchive.com.
- ^ "Hansens to Mark 25th Anniversary". Fitchburg Sentinel. Fitchburg, MA. July 15, 1954. p. 2 – via NewspaperArchive.com.
- ^ "NET&T Promotes Hansen". Fitchburg Sentinel. Fitchburg, MA. February 22, 1965. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Hansen New Tel. Co. Mgr". Brattleboro Reformer. Brattleboro, VT. December 24, 1965. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ McLaughlin, Helen (June 24, 1969). "State's New Marshal Is One of Youngest". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d "Sen. Aiken backs Brattleboro Man as Vt. Marshal". Barre Montpelier Times Argus. Barre, VT. February 13, 1969. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "New Owners: Mr. and Mrs. Christian Hansen". Brattleboro Reformer. Brattleboro, VT. March 4, 1969. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "New Marshal". Brattleboro Reformer. Brattleboro, VT. May 23, 1969. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Confirmed — Christian Hansen Jr". Brattleboro Reformer. Brattleboro, VT. June 19, 1969. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Second Term". Brattleboro Reformer. Brattleboro, VT. October 30, 1973. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Coffin, Howard (June 26, 1977). "County Sheriff Race Started". Rutland Herald. Rutland, VT. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "1978 Vermont Primary Election: Windham County Results". Brattleboro Reformer. Brattleboro, VT. September 13, 1978. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "The 1981 Legislature". Barre Montpelier Times Argus. Barre, VT. January 4, 1981. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Replacement Is Everett". Rutland Herald. Rutland, VT. May 13, 1982. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Hansen Nominated for Marshal's Job". Barre Montpelier Times Argus. Barre, VT. December 17, 1981. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Pfeffer, Judith (March 17, 1982). "Hansen Named Marshal Again". Brattleboro Reformer. Brattleboro, VT. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Former Rep. Hansen Sworn In as Marshal". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. Associated Press. April 27, 1982. p. 2B – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Did You Know? — U.S. Marshal Christian Hansen". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. March 4, 1984. p. 3D – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Vermonter is appointed acting marshal". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. October 2, 1994. p. 3B – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d Durfee Funeral Home (August 2, 2021). "Obituary, Nancy C. Hansen". Tribute Archive.com.
- ^ "Obituary, Christian Hansen, Jr". Rutland Herald. Rutland, VT. May 18, 2023.