# Peter E. Hanson *American politician and businessman; 12th Secretary of State of Minnesota (1901–1907)* Peter E. Hanson (June 12, 1845 – February 11, 1914) was a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] politician and businessman in [[Minnesota]]. He held the office of [[Minnesota Secretary of State]] from 1901 to 1907, the 12th person to do so, after sitting in the [[Minnesota Senate]] from 1895 to 1898.[^1] A native of Sweden, Hanson came to the United States with his parents in 1857 and made his home in [[Meeker County, Minnesota|Meeker County]]. His business interests included banking in Litchfield, real estate and farming. He died in California in 1914.[^2] ## Biography Hanson's birthplace was Branstad, Sweden, and his date of birth was June 12, 1845.[^2] In 1857 he and his parents left for the United States, and the family made its home in Meeker County, Minnesota.[^2] In Litchfield, Hanson worked in banking and was president of the Litchfield County Bank. His other business interests included real estate and farming.[^2] Hanson was a Republican and was a member of the Meeker County [[County Board|Board of Commissioners]].[^2] He sat in the Minnesota Senate from 1895 to 1898. He held the office of Minnesota Secretary of State from 1901 to 1907.[^2] On February 11, 1914, while staying at the Warner's Hot Springs Hotel near San Diego, California, Hanson suffered a fatal stroke.[^2] ## In the Minnesota record ### Who - Peter E. Hanson, a Republican, was the 12th Secretary of State of Minnesota.[^1] ### What - Office held: Minnesota Secretary of State, 12th holder.[^1] - Earlier office: member of the Minnesota Senate.[^1] - Local office: member of the Meeker County Board of Commissioners.[^2] ### When - Born June 12, 1845.[^1] - Emigrated to the United States in 1857.[^2] - Minnesota Senate service, 1895–1898.[^1] - Secretary of State service, 1901–1907.[^1] - Died February 11, 1914.[^1] ### Where - Born in Branstad, Sweden. Settled in Meeker County, Minnesota. Banked in Litchfield. Died near San Diego, California.[^2] ### How - Cause of death: a stroke, suffered while at the Warner's Hot Springs Hotel.[^2] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Peter E. Hanson* (cached revision 1365699068, retrieved 2026-10-25) — lead summary: 12th Secretary of State of Minnesota, 1901–1907, Republican; Minnesota Senate, 1895–1898; dates of birth and death. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_E._Hanson [^2]: Wikipedia contributors, *Peter E. Hanson*, "Biography" section (cached revision 1365699068, retrieved 2026-10-25) — birthplace, emigration, Meeker County settlement, Litchfield banking and other business activities, county board service, Senate and Secretary of State service, and cause and place of death. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_E._Hanson