Founder of Hanston - Benjamin Hann – Hanston Cemetery, Hodgeman County, Kansas

The Hann family came to Hodgeman County in 1878. Their claim became known as the Hann Homestead. As more settlers came to the area, a town began to form, and a name needed to be chosen. In honor of the Hann family, it was called Hanston or “Hanns town”.

Benjamin was born in Ohio in 1840 and as a little boy, his family moved to Indiana. When the Civil War broke out, he enlisted in Co. K 155th IN Infantry. Elizabeth Jane Hunter became his wife on December 7, 1865. They were the parents of four children; Ida, William, Anna Belle, and John.

The Orwell Times (Orwell, Kansas), issue of July 8, 1886, announces, “A new town has been located near Marena, with J.C. Stang, W.C. Edwards, Benj. Hann, W.S. Kenyon, John Atkin, and Mr. Bonesteel as the town company.” A carpenter by trade, Benjamin's skills were needed to establish and continue the growth of Hanston. He built many buildings and residences in Hodgeman County.

After spending nearly forty years in Hodgeman County, Benjamin died in 1927. Elizabeth died four years later. They share the same stone in Hanston Cemetery.

Benjamin and Elizabeth’s oldest daughter, Ida, taught school for many years. She married Alexander Johnson and moved to Indiana. She died in 1938.

Their son, William operated a general store in Hanston for many years. In 1913, he married Luna Miller. She passed away in 1919 after giving birth to a daughter, Jennie Louise.

Anna Belle was married to William S. Bradley in1892. William died unexpectedly two years later. Anna married Irvin Seaman. She passed away in 1960.

John married Mayme Seaman in 1907 and continued farming on the original homestead. He died in 1957 and his buried with his parents and siblings in Hanston Cemetery.