John O. Hjelle Papers

Collection

Identifier: OGLMC-980

Scope and Contents

The John Hjelle Papers, 1943-1979, mainly consist of correspondence to/from John during his time as editor at The Bismarck Tribune. There is also correspondence regarding his activities with organizations such as the North Dakota Press Association, John Birch Society, North Dakota Historical Society, and the Judicial Nominating Committee. This collection also includes numerous editorials and other articles written by Hjelle, and correspondence with Milton Young. Materials are arranged chronologically by subject.

Dates

created: 1943-1979
Other: Date acquired: 07/19/1984

Conditions Governing Access

Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Biographical or Historical Information

John Orlo Hjelle was born November 15, 1913, in Mercer, North Dakota, the son of Ole Simon Hjelle and Ella Theoline Myhra. Hjelle married Alice Marie Driver of Bismarck in 1943. They had four children: Ann Marie, Kathryn Lynn, Barbara Gail, and Kristin Sue. He received a B.A. in 1936 from Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. Hjelle worked in various positions at the Bismarck Tribune from 1936 to 1945. He was then employed by Senator Milton Young as an administrative assistant for about three years. In September 1948, Hjelle became editor of the Bismarck Tribune, a position he held for 31 years before retiring in 1979. He was active in various organizations such as the American Society of Newspaper Editors, Rotary Club, Masonic Temple, Izaak Walton League, Sigma Delta Chi, and was vice president of the Mo Valley Area Council for the Boy Scouts of America. Hjelle died April 16, 1982, in Bismarck.

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