| Our Roots
Matt Hanson was Ken's grandfather. He came from Sweden in the late 1880's. Chris Lee was Ken's grandfather on his mother's side. He migrated from Norway in the late 1890's. Both settled in what is today known as Knife River. Both were commercial fisherman. At that time, they fished Trout, Whitefish and Bluefin(Herring) by sailboat. Most of the fish was salted and shipped by steamboat to Duluth. Some smoking was also done to preserve fish for shorter peroids and for the added flavor. Art, who is pictured on the web site was Ken's father. He was born in Knife River in 1899. He continued the family tradition of commercial fishing and smoking. Art also fished by sail and rowboat in the early years and Ken tells the story of fishing for his father with his brother-one on each oar. Art fished Trout and Whitefish extensively. Most was salted and kegged and shipped by rail to Chicago. Ken was born in 1934 and along with his brother Jim "Squeek" Hanson continued the family tradition of commercial fishing and smoking supplying local grocery stores and restaurants along the North shore with fresh Herring in season and smoked Ciscoes. Ken's sons have all fished with their father and smoked for local fishstands in Knife River. Stan and his twin brother Steve continue the tradition. Steve as a commercial fisherman and seasonal smoker and Stan in the new venture of smoking and shipping fish via the internet. The old world smoking methods used by Superior's Choice have been handed down from these generations of commercial fishermen to the purveyor's of Superior's Choice fine smoked fish.
NEW! Retail business site opening the summer of 2002 along Hwy 61 in Two Harbors.
|
|
|