Peter D. Hanson, born 1801, died 1851, married and had the following children: Andrew, Orville, Sarah, Margaret, John, Harriett, Abram (of whom further), Mary and Andrew.
Abram, seventh child and fourth son of Peter D. Hanson was born in 1841, and died October 8, 1908. He descended from Captain Hans Hendrickse, an early trader of Beverwyck, whose descendants took the name Hansen from their progenitor's first name Hans. Abram Hanson was educated in the district schools at Albany Bush, Fulton county, New York, and served a full term of apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade, at which he worked until the breaking out of the civil war when he enlisted in the One hundred fifteenth Regiment, New York Volunteer Infantry, known as the "Iron Hearted Regiment." He enlisted at Amsterdam, New York, as a private in Company B., mustered out June 9, 1865. The One hundred fifteenth Regiment was largely recruited in the counties of Saratoga, Montgomery, Fulton and Hamilton. They left for the seat of war, August 29, 1862, and September 1, 1862, were in Maryland, armed and equipped for service. They were first in battle at Maryland Heights; were surrounded with the army at Harper's Ferry; later saw the most terrific fighting of the war, and gained a reputation for bravery not exceeded by any regiment in the service. Through it all Abram Hanson bore well his part and escaped without serious injury. After the war was over, he returned to his home, and in association with his brother John, he carried on a stove store, and as Hanson Brothers, they continued its operation until 1886. In that year the partnership was dissolved, Abram starting a similar business under his own name. He was engaged in the stove and hardware business until his death, building up a good business, which he left to his wife, who still continues it, with Vroman H. Best as manager. Mr. Hanson was a member of Lodge, Encampment and Canton of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias; Improved Order of Red Men; Colonel Sammons Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and the Royal Arcanum. He was also a prominent fireman for many years, and he belonged in his latter years to the Exempt Fireman's Associations. His funeral was held under the direction and according to the burial rite of both the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Improved Order of Red Men. Politically he was a Democrat. He was a warm-hearted generous man, bestowing upon his wife and adopted daughter every attention and advantage. Mr. Hanson married Eliza Churchill, born May 15, 1844. They had no children, and adopted when she was but four years old, May G., born June 1, 1868.
May G., adopted daughter of Abram and Eliza (Churchill) Hanson, was born June 1, 1868. She was educated in the Gloversville high school and Cortland State Normal School, graduating from the latter with the class of 1889. She taught a private school for one year and in the public schools for two years previous to her marriage. She married, April 30, 1891, Vroman H. Best (see Best). She is now her husband's assistant in the management of the business left by her father. She is a member of Richard Montgomery Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution, having served as secretary of the society for several years, May G. (Hanson) Best is a writer and composer of some note, contributing to several of the leading periodicals. Mrs. Best has also published a book of poems entitled Rose Leaves and Rowen. They have one son, Abram Hanson Best, born November 30, 1900.
(The Best Line)
This branch of the Best family descend from English ancestry. John M. Best was born at Pickering, Yorkshire, England, came to the United States with his wife, Elizabeth, and settled in St. Lawrence county, New York, where they located on a farm and reared six children.
(II) Jacob, son of John M. and Elizabeth Best, married and had four children: Charles, Alonzo, of whom further, Angeline and Julia M.
(III) Alonzo, son of Jacob Best, was born in 1836, died July 27, 1904. He married Anne Vroman, born in 1836, died February 21, 1900. She was a descendant of the old Dutch Vroman family, whose history is found elsewhere in this work, and that bore so prominent a part in the settlement and development of the Mohawk Valley. Children of Alonzo and Anne (Vroman) Best: Francis, born and died in 1860; and Vroman H., of whom further.
(IV) Vroman H., son of Alonzo and Anne (Vroman) Best, was educated in the public schools and at the age of fifteen years, in 1885, went to Gloversville, where he completed his studies in the high school. After leaving school he learned glove making and followed that occupation for six years. He then became associated with Abram Hanson in the stove business, continuing with him until his death in 1908. He is now manager of the business. He is an Odd Fellow and a Democrat. He married, April 30, 1891, May G., adopted daughter of Abram Hanson and they have one son, Abram Hanson Best, born November 30, 1900.