Otto Sougstad, born March 23, 1876, in Christiania, Norway, was the secretary and treasurer of the Northwood Hardware Company in Northwood, North Dakota. After immigrating to the U.S. in 1885, he was educated in Belmond, Iowa, and at the Business College of LaCrosse, Wisconsin. Sougstad served in the Spanish-American War, rising to first sergeant. He later held various positions, including chief clerk of the North Dakota House of Representatives and city judge of Northwood. He married Ida Johnston on March 2, 1901, and they had two children, Palmer Joseph and Irene Sophia.
Otto Sougstad, secretary and treasurer of the Northwood Hardware Company, Northwood, North Dakota, is a native of Christiania, Norway. He was born on March 23, 1876, son of Johannes E. and Ingeborg (Laond) Sougstad. Parents were both natives of Norway and were descendants from a long line of farmers. Our subject attended the schools of his native town, and after coming to the United States in 1885 studied in the common and high schools of Belmond, Iowa, and at the Business College of LaCrosse, Wis.
After finishing his studies he was employed for several years by different mercantile concerns, and after gaining a practical business training, in July, 1895, he came to Northwood, North Dakota, and was employed for eleven years by Nick Halverson. During the Spanish-American War he enlisted in Company L, Thirteenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, and served for two years in the Philippine campaign, and rose from the ranks to be first sergeant of his company, which position he held at the time of his discharge. He also served as clerk of the provost court at Manila, P. I. After his return he served as chief clerk of the North Dakota House of Representatives, session of 1905, and as assistant chief clerk in the session of 1907, was elected city judge in 1901 and served two years; was appointed city assessor in 1907.
He was married to Miss Ida Johnston, daughter of Paul C. Johnston, merchant of Northwood, North Dakota, on March 2, 1901, and now (1908) they are the parents of two children, named Palmer Joseph, age six years, and Irene Sophia, age one and a half years.
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.