Andrew Hanson

Duane's take

The way the official marker tells it, here's the story of Andrew Hanson of Sherman, Texas. Born in Schleswig-Holstein, Denmark, in 1855, Andrew Hanson made a journey that would take him halfway around the world and land him at the center of one small Texas town's daily life. He came to the United States in 1872, and by 1878 he had made his way to Texas.

Now, a lot of folks came to Texas looking for land, or cattle, or oil. Andrew Hanson came with flour and yeast and something the people of Sherman didn't yet know they were hungry for. In 1879, he and a partner named F.

W. Boedeker started the Star Bakery. That partnership didn't last long on paper, because Hanson soon bought out Boedeker's interest, and from that point forward, the Star Bakery was his and his alone.

For thirty-five years he owned Sherman's first bakery. Thirty-five years of early mornings and warm ovens. And he didn't stop at bread.

The Star Bakery introduced the first delivery service in town. Think about that, somebody bringing the baked goods right to your door. And if that wasn't enough, Andrew Hanson brought Sherman its first commercially made ice cream.

The man knew how to give a town what it didn't know to ask for. In 1880, he married Anna Lundorf, and together they raised four children. He built family residences at two midtown sites, putting down roots in the most literal sense.

And then something remarkable happened. His father, his mother, his brothers, they all came from Denmark to join him. The whole family crossed an ocean to be where Andrew was.

Sherman, Texas became home not just for one man but for an entire family that had followed him there from Schleswig-Holstein. Andrew Hanson lived until 1940. And all of them, every member of that family who had gathered from so far away, are buried there together.

This marker was sponsored by Mamie A. and Anna W. Weihs. One Danish baker, one Texas town, and a family that followed the smell of fresh bread all the way across the world.

What the marker says

(1855-1940) Owned Sherman's first bakery for 35 years. Born in Schleswigholstein, Denmark. Came to United States, 1872, and to Texas, 1878. With F. W. Boedeker (whose interest he soon bought) started the Star Bakery, 1879. Had first delivery service, first commercially made ice cream in town. Built family residences at two midtown sites. Married (1880) Anna Lundorf; had 4 children. His father, mother, and brothers came from Denmark to join him. All are buried here. Incise in base: Marker Sponsors: Mamie A. and Anna W. Weihs