John F. Strass Biography


	This biography appears on pages 710-711 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. I (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	JOHN F. STRASS, journalist, editor and publisher of the Fremad, 
the most influential Norwegian paper in the United States, was born in 
the city of Trondjhem, Norway, on November 1, 1862. He was reared and 
educated in the land of his birth and there remained until the year 
1878, when he came to the United States and settled at Fergus Falls, 
Minnesota. Immediately thereafter he commenced to learn the printer's 
trade and becoming an efficient workman followed his chosen calling in 
various newspaper offices until 1881, when he started a Scandinavian 
paper at Fergus Falls, which soon obtained an extensive circulation. 
After publishing the paper one year he sold the plant and resumed his 
trade, working at different places until the early part of 1894, when 
he located at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, with the object in view of 
establishing a Populist paper in that city, to be printed in the 
Norwegian language. Meeting with the desired encouragement, he soon 
launched the enterprise and on May 17th of that year the first number 
of the Fremad made its appearance and met with a hearty welcome from 
his fellow countrymen throughout the state, who advocated the 
principles of the People's party. In due time the Fremad achieved a 
wide circulation and it has continued to grow in public favor until it 
now has a greater number of regular subscribers than any other weekly 
in South Dakota, to say nothing of extensive general sales and liberal 
advertising patronage. It is not only one of the best supported papers 
in the west, but also one of the most influential, as it has been a 
powerful agency in advancing the varied interests of the Scandinavians 
in the Dakotas, besides proving a potent factor in political circles, 
having had much to do in formulating the policy of the party of which 
it is a recognized exponent and promoting the success of the same at 
the polls.  

	In addition to his newspaper enterprise, Mr. Strass conducts a 
large and thoroughly equipped printing establishment in which all kinds 
of printing are done with neatness and dispatch, and he also deals 
quite extensively in Norwegian literature, keeping in stock the leading 
books and periodicals published in that country, for all of which there 
is a large and constantly increasing demand. His plant is one of the 
most valuable of the kind in the state and its success speaks well for 
the ability, tact and excellent judgment displayed by Mr. Strass in all 
of his undertakings. He not only stands high in the esteem of his 
fellow countrymen, but is regarded by the general public as a safe, 
reliable and far seeing business man, also as a leader of thought and a 
molder of opinion in political affairs. He is identified with the 
Scandinavian Working Men's Association of Sioux Falls, being a leading 
spirit in the society, and his name is always prominent in enterprises 
having for their object the material welfare of the city of his 
residence and the good of the people. As a citizen he is public-
spirited and progressive, and in every relation of life his character 
has been open and free and his integrity above reproach.  

	The domestic life of Mr. Strass dates from March 10, 1888, at 
which time he was united in the bonds of wedlock with Miss Lena Brown, 
of Fergus Falls, Minnesota, who has borne him children as follows: 
Clara E., Carl T., Olaf C., Lewis F., Harrold E.. John F., Albert E. 
and Helen J.