Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-02-04
CALLED TO HIS REWARD.
The Venerable DIR. L. n. Hassel.
quist Sleeps Well.
THE FATHER OF AU6UsrANA DEAD.
Passing Peacefully FreR Earth at
an Early Esar This Morning
A Life DeAieatea to HIS
Enthusiastically.

at his home on the college grounds in the
eastern part Of the city this morning a,
2 o'clock. The venerable divine hsd
been gradually failing since las, spring,
owing to his advanced age and the gen
ersl giving away of the vital functions in
consequence. he managed, however,
to keep about and s.ten d TO his duties a.,
the college, but on Sunday last he was
attacked with gastric ca,arrh, bu,
not what would have been
called serious to younger and stronger
man. The doctor though vss uns bic to
physically battle With it and was soon
compelled to take to his bed from which
be never rose. He sank steadily during
the day yesterday and until tie hour
stated this morning. when he quietly
breathed bis last
DIR. Hasselouiss was born in the parish
OF Ousby, in southern Sweden, March 2,
1916, and graduated 81 the university of
Lunc in 1885. He st once prepared him.
self for the ministry of the established
church Of Sweden, the Lutheran. and was
ordained by the bishop Of the diocese Of
Land in June, 1899. he lsbored there
for thirteen years. and in 1852 accepted q
call extended him by the Swedish Evan
gelicsl Luthern church OF Galesburg,
Knox county, and in Octobe. of the same
year he entered upon his duties. his work
being characterized oy great zeal and self
denial. While serving as pastor at Gales
burg be also organized congregations at
Knoxville. Wstsgs, Altoona and at other
places in Knox, Henry and Bureau coun-
ties. Upon the organic alton Of the
Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran Au-
gus;ans synod in 1860. DR.. Hasselauist
was elected its first president and for ten
years he held the position, resiguing it
in 1870, when he made visit to his ma
tive country. and he was succeeded by
Rev Jonas Ssehsson, Of .Andover, III.
1t was in 1868 that DR. Hsssela1ist
was called to the position OF professor Of
theology at Augustsna Theological sem
mary at Paxton, Ford county. he was
the first, and for time the only professor
Of the institution, and the enrolment of
pupils the first year was only ~ He
entered upon his work, however, with
courage and such degree of wisdom
was manifested in his manner of hand.
ling the undertaking that the college rap
idly grew in importance until it took rank
among the largest and most important
institutions Of learning ia the west. In
1875 the college and seminary pr ofessors.
students, library sai museums was trans
ferred from Paxton 10 Rock Island, and
DR.. Hssselouist's home has been here
since. he retained the positions of pre-
feseoi and president up to the time of his
death, Though ke maav times sought to
surrender both, feeling that he had reached
the stage Of life when younger hands
should take up the work, but the Angus
taua synod would not listen to the doc
tors declinstion and be was retained. The
beautiful and touching tribute paid at the
last meeting Of the synod in this city two
years ago was sn evidence of the sffec-
ton and esteem in which he was held by
the members Of the synod ali over the
country.
In addition to his duties as pastor, pro-
fessor and president, DR.. Hssselq1ist has
since 1855 been engaged almost contin>
ously in editorial work. In that yea he
founded the Swedish paper Old and New
Homeland, the first Swedish journal of g
political nature ia the west and il is still
published at Chicago. In 1856 he estsb'
lished True Homeland religious paper
which has since been changed to Angus.
ton Missionary. OF which the doctor was
editor In chief at his death.
1t was the chief aim, purpose and de-
light Of Dr.. Hassel4 uis; to elevate his
countrymen in America and he was with
out doubt the mos, distinguished gentle
man of the Swedish nationality in this
COAnhys liS AiC WOikb Dus MCo6AS Ooe
line OF which can be contained in news
paper biographical sketch, cannot be esti-
mated in its scope or its attendent re-
suits. In the same measure Of love that
he has been regarded by all who have
been associated with him in any cspacity,
will he be remembered by coming genera
lions OF Swedes and Americans.
DR.. MASSACHUSETTS, wife died in May,
1881, and he leaves three children, Ma
thauiel and Joshua. OF this city, and Mrs.
Esther Pease, of Philadelphia.
Augusssns college closed this morning
as an evidence OF respect to the deceased
president and ss soon as the various So
cieties can get together, suitable resola-
tions of sorrow and esteem will probably
ha aHnnta1