H. M. Hassell, one of the farmers of Lake County whose success in life has been due to his own efforts, is the son of Nathan G., and Ann (Rayfield) Hassell, and was born in Decatur County, Tennessee, May 31, 1844. The father was born in North Carolina in 1800 and his mother in the same state in 1818. Their parents moved to Decatur County, Tennessee, when they were both young, and they married there. Mr. Hassell, Sr., was a tanner by trade, and in politics, an old line Whig; both his wife and himself were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Hassell died December 23, 1858; Mrs. Hassell is still living.
Our subject, H. M. Hassell, had few opportunities of acquiring an education. He left Henderson County and moved to Lake County in 1871. October 16, 1884, he married Miss Ruth Delaney. She was born in Hardin County, Tennessee, December 4, 1857, and with her husband belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church South. While Mr. Hassell is a democrat he does not take any active part in politics. He is a member of the I. 0. 0. F. Mr. Hassell, at the time he commenced farming in Lake County, was without money, and by hard work and perseverance has bought him a fine farm of 235 acres, and is now constantly adding good improvements.