Louis K. Hassell, born August 19, 1862, near Hamar, Norway, became a prominent resident of Grand Forks, North Dakota. After immigrating to the U.S. in 1881, he worked in various legal and governmental positions. He edited the Norwegian newspaper “Tidende” and founded the “Normanden.” Hassell served as clerk of the district court from 1889, elected four times, and later as county judge. Active in the Republican party and various fraternal organizations, he married Sophia A. Anderson in 1886, and they had four children: Clarence L., Selma L., Olga O., and Agnes F.
Louis K. Hassell, a prominent and progressive resident of Grand Forks, North Dakota, was born near Hamar, Norway, on August 19, 1862. He is one of five children born to Christian and Oline (Fremstad) Hassell, both natives of Norway. Oline, of German descent, immigrated with her family to the United States in the early summer of 1881 and settled in Walsh County, North Dakota, where she passed away. Christian, Louis’s father, still resides on the family homestead.
Louis received his education in his native country. After his family’s arrival in the United States, he worked for a few months in the law office of Mayor Hamilton in Grand Forks. In the fall of 1881, he became the editor of the Grand Forks Tidende, a Norwegian newspaper. Three years later, he served as a deputy in the office of the city auditor and treasurer. From the fall of 1884 until January 1, 1887, he worked as a clerk in the office of the register of deeds for Grand Forks County.
Recognizing the need for a Scandinavian newspaper in Grand Forks, Louis started the “Normanden,” which he managed until he sold it in the summer of 1888. He then worked for several months in the office of the county auditor. In the fall of 1889, he was elected as the clerk of the district court on the Republican ticket, a position to which he was re-elected four times. After retiring from the clerk’s office, Louis served as a deputy sheriff until he was elected to his current position as county judge of Grand Forks County.
Since settling in Grand Forks twenty-eight years ago, Louis Hassell has steadily advanced, achieving success through his own hard work and determination. He has been actively involved in the Republican party and has played a prominent role in local party affairs. Louis is a member of several benevolent and fraternal organizations, including the Masonic Order, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the United Workmen of America, and the Knights of Pythias.
In 1886, Louis married Miss Sophia A. Anderson, a native of Norway. Together, they have four children named Clarence L., Selma L., Olga O., and Agnes F.
Source
C.F. Cooper & Company, History of the Red River Valley, Past And Present: Including an Account of the Counties, Cities, Towns And Villages of the Valley From the Time of Their First Settlement And Formation, volumes 1-2; Grand Forks: Herald printing company, 1909.