Hassell, Susie Whitcomb 1856-1927

HASSELL, WHITCOMB, ROBBINS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 6/23/2013 at 12:21:03

The Grinnell (IA) Herald
June 7, 1927

SUSIE WHITCOMB
HASSELL PASSES
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Prominent Grinnell Graduate Dies At
Her Home At Everett,
Washington.
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There are many Grinnell friends who will regret to know of the death of a former resident of the town and a prominent graduate of Grinnell college which occurred Monday evening of last week.

We copy from an Everett paper a brief notice of Mrs. Hassell's life and many activities.

Mrs. Susan Whitcomb Hassell, 71 years old, prominent Everett club woman, civic worker, author and teacher, died at 5 o'clock Monday morning at the family home, 3003 Rockefeller avenue. Death followed a long illness dating from a stroke of paralysis suffered by Mrs. Hassell while attending a meeting of the State Federation of Women's clubs at Chehalis six years ago. The effect of this was accentuated by a fall in San Diego a year ago, presumed to have brought on a second stroke, which resulted in a gradual weakened condition.

Mrs. Hassell was born in Grinnell, Iowa, March 7, 1856, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Abram Whitcomb, pioneers of Iowa who had moved to this state from Chester, Vt. She was one of the earliest graduates from a classical course in American colleges and was distinguished as a teacher and writer. Mrs. Hassell was graduated from Grinnell college in 1877 where she was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Following graduation Mrs. Hassell was principal of the high school in Grinnell and instructor in the college. In 1880 she married Richard B. Hassell, a college classmate and went with him to Butte City, Mont., where she taught for a time in the high school. In 1883 the family removed to Redfield, S.D., where Mrs. Hassell helped greatly in establishing Redfield college and where for six years she was its lady principal.

In 1895 Mrs. Hassell was dean of women at the South Dakota state university and in 1896 she came to Washington where she actively engaged herself in church and educational work when her husband was pastor of churches, and while he was mayor of Everett she was his efficient secretary.

Mrs. Hassell was a frequent contributor to educational and religious journals and published two books, "The Old Home," an account of pioneer experiences in Iowa, and "One Hundred and Sixty Books," an appreciative statement of the literary work done in the state of Washington by various authors in the first 50 years of its history.

The widely known Everett woman was secretary of the State Federation of Women's clubs for several years and later its state auditor. She was secretary of the commission of fifteen that framed the city charter. With her husband she spent a year in Europe in 1907 and 1908. One son was born to them, Selden R. Hassell, now deceased.

Mrs. Hassell is survived by her husband, Richard B. Hassell, a sister, Mrs. H.H. Robbins, of Eugene, Ore., and a brother, Prof. S.L. Whitcomb, head of the department of English at the state university in Kansas.