John Hansen Purchases A Studebaker

By 1912 John Hansen was becoming well known throughout the Idaho Falls community as a prominent rancher and horseman.  On Tuesday, July 9, 1912 it was reported by the Idaho Register that John Hansen had spent Saturday in town (Idaho Falls).  It would seem based on the news report that he was touring around town in his new EMF Studebaker which he had recently acquired.

Source: The Idaho Register. Tuesday, July 9, 1912

In 1912 a new Studebaker cost approximately $1,100 (which in 2012 dollars is the equivalent of $26,190.48).  To help put the value of the Studebaker into real terms the average American household income was $750 per year which meant this vehicle cost John Hansen about 1.5 times as much as the average annual income.  In 2012 the average annual household income is approximately $63,000 which would translate to a vehicle that cost over $90,000.

Studebaker Ad (cira 1912)

By the end of 1912 there were approximately 356,000 cars on the road in the United States (1 car for every 268 citizens).  For the first time there were more cars than horses on the road in New York City. By 2009 there were estimated to be 254,212,610 cars on the road in the United States (1 car for every 1.2 citizens).

John Hansen appears to have been a successful rancher, farmer and horseman which allowed him to provide well for his family.

Source: 1912 EMF Studebaker Brochure (pg 17)