John Sad was born at Hardanger, Norway on July 24, 1887. As an infant he came to the United States with his parents, Asbjorn and Martha Sad. They lived in Valley City for 12 years and John completed the 6th grade there. His father then moved the family to a farm near Dazey. John worked for his father and also for a neighboring farmer, Thomas Stee.
In 1908, when two of the Stee boys left to enroll at the University of North Dakota, John decided he should go back to school also. He went to Grand Forks with only 6 years of formal education and $80.00 in his pocket. He was allowed to enter the College Preparatory Department and worked as Agent at the University depot of the Great Northern Railroad. During the next 5 years he completed the high school course and the University Law School. He also was active in athletics and forensics. He was a member of the debate team and captain of the basketball team in his senior year.
In 1913 John returned to Dazey and married Mae Stee on November 27 at her parents' home. They moved to Hannaford where John opened his first law office. A son, Gregg, was born to them in 1917. In 1918 they moved to Cooperstown where a daughter, Glenna, was born in 1919. John served as Griggs County State's Attorney for 6 years.
In 1927 the family moved to Valley City where John practiced law for the next 24 years. He was State's Attorney there for 4 years.
In 1951 he was appointed District Judge for the First Judicial District of North Dakota by Gov. Norman Brunsdale, succeeding Judge M. J. Englert, who retired. He was elected to a 6 year term in 1956.
Tragedy struck the family in November, 1961, when son, Gregg, was killed in an accident at Dover, New Jersey. He had worked in the mining industry for many years in Quebec, Canada, -and in New Jersey. He left his wife, the former Catherine Healey of Vermont, and 2 young daughters.
Daughter, Glenna, was educated at Valley City STC and University of North Dakota. She taught school for 3 years at Ada, Minnesota and in 1943 married Merton Johnson of that city: They have 2 daughters.
Judge Sad retired January 1 , 1963. That year also marked 50 years of marriage and 50 years as a member of the North Dakota Bar. He and his wife continued to make their home in Valley City until July, 1969 when he died while visiting his daughter at Ada, Minnesota. Mrs. Mae Sad has since resided at Ada.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 211