The Connor T. Hansen Papers held by the Historical Society consist of private papers which supplement published and official archival documentation on his thirteen-year career as a member of the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Included are files on electoral campaigns ranging from his first campaign for Eau Claire district attorney to his 1970 Supreme Court election; copies of speeches, the majority of which were made in his capacity as Supreme Court and county judge; a subject index to his decisions; and correspondence primarily concerning various civic interests. Also in the collection are some general biographical information, Xeroxed clippings, and a film concerning his 1969 campaign announcement.
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION includes sketches, memoranda, and genealogical material concerning his mother, Gladdus Hall Hansen.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE was probably referred to as “private correspondence” when written from his Supreme Count chambers. In fact, however, this correspondence concerns general matters not related to specific cases before the court.
SPEECHES are arranged then chronologically by date or by period if no specific date is known. For most, a typescript of Hansen's remarks is included, although only note cards are present for a few occasions. For his well-known speech on the constitutional rights of juveniles in court, there is also some background information and clippings. Also filed in this series are clippings, a few press releases, and printed copies of several articles.
The SUBJECT FILES contain a variety of types of documents concerning Hansen's civic and political activities. The campaign files, perhaps the most interesting portion of the series, variously contain correspondence, literature and brochures, planning documents, financial reports, and clippings. The file on the 1970 judicial election is the most extensive.
Also of interest are the files on the National Council of Christians and Jews, of which Hansen served as state chairman. Files on the Wisconsin Welfare Council, which were extensive in the papers accessioned from Hansen, were weeded and the separations compared to the Society's collection on the Council and its successor, the Wisconsin Council on Human Concerns. Minutes of the Judicial Council were removed and added to records of that agency held by the Archives.
MISCELLANY consists of pocket memoranda books and a subject index to his court decisions.
