Peter Friedrich and Ida Margaretha Hansen emigrated from Germany on the Herder arriving in the Port of New York on March 16, 1881, with six of their children, Maria, Johann, Anna, August, Theodor, and Hermann. The oldest daughter, Magdalena Catharine Marquard Belkin, remained in Germany. Their oldest son, Adolph, had emigrated several years earlier to avoid the military draft. He traveled on the Westphalia and arrived in the Port of New York on May 6, 1874. He lived with family members: grandparents, Johann D. and Maria C. Hansen and Uncle, Friedrich August Hansen, until his family arrived in the United States.
Peter and Ida Hansen emigrated from Sehestedt, Schleswig-Holstein where he was a shoemaker and owned a small dry-goods store. They were the parents of ten children: the oldest was born illegitimately, two died in infancy, leaving eight who grew to adulthood. Family lore also indicates that Peter was a skilled card player who had won a considerable sum from the local nobleman who paid his debt in land. The proceeds from the land allowed the Hansen family sufficient funds to depart for America and to lead a prosperous life. Peter also had a distinguished military service record. He served in three wars, the Prussian-Danish War of 1864, the Prussian-Austrian War of 1866, and the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871.
In 1881, the family settled in Westside where they lived for one year until they purchased their farm north of Manning. The parents lived on the farm and raised their family until 1893, when they retired to Manning.
Peter was born June 21, 1836, in Holm, Schleswig-Holstein. He died on January 13, 1908, at 72 years of age.
Ida was born on April 7, 1835, in Hegenholz, Schleswig-Holstein. She died on September 4, 1904, at 69 years of age. The children lived in and near the Manning community.
Adolph (July 4, 1861 - July 4, 1948) married Katherine Knutsen (1876- December 11, 1923) in 1893. He was a mason and plasterer.
Maria (January 14, 1863 - October 27, 1934) married August F. Grau (May 17, 1863 - September 25, 1922) on January 20, 1885. They engaged in farming in the Manning area until their retirement to Manning.
Johann (July 18, 1865 - May 26, 1947) married Marie Biehl (October 19, 1864 - July 10, 1929) on February 3, 1888. John L. also farmed in the Manning area until his retirement.
Anna (November 20, 1867 - March 14, 1957) married Henry Meyers (December 3, 1863 - November 21, 1941) on May 30, 1888. They farmed east of Manning until retirement. He was also a director of the Manning Trust and Savings Bank.
August (December 23, 1869 - March 24, 1950) married Emma Kusel (March 29, 1875 - September 17, 1942) on July 9, 1895. August and Emma engaged in farming in the Manning area.
Theodor (December 23, 1873 - July 30, 1943) married Mary Brennan (July 25, 1879 - 1954) on April 14, 1896. Ted Hansen was a prominent businessman in Manning for 48 years. He was also a city councilman and Treasurer of Dultmeier Manufacturing Co.
Herman (March 10, 1876 - March 3, 1950) married Laura Karstens (April 6, 1879 - February 12, 1937) on June 27, 1900. He operated a store in Manning, served as the vice-president of the German Savings Bank, was on the State Firemen's Association, and was a member of the local Board of Education.