Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Latah County Tønnes Møller† from Sogndal, Stavanger Amt was the founder of the first Norwegian settlement in Idaho. He came from Wisconsin and settled at Genesee, Latah Co. in 1876. Later in the year came John Tetly from Levanger, Ditlef and Hans Smith from Kvalheim, Mangers Parish, Knud Bergquam† from Sogn, Hans Tvedt from Lindos Parish as well as Casper Johnson, Andrew Christensen, Iver Christensen†, Carl Christensen, James Jacobsen, Charles Fering, Ole Ottesen†, Martin Andersen and Erik Andersen†. In the beginning thye had to be satisfied with dugouts and log cabins. Growing wheat was their most important source of income. Lewiston, 20 miles away, was their nearest marketplace. Day pay at the time was 50 cents. Søren Nelson from Valders was the first Norwegian in the vicinity of Anderson P.O. and Henry V. Jørgensen from Flekkefjord was the first in the vicinity of Park. And Sam Johnson from Telemarken was the first in the vicinity of Moscow. The Nez Perce Indians were aggressive and warlike in those days so the first Norwegian newcomers had trouble in keeping them at bay. They found it necessary to build entrenchments against them. Civil War veteran T. E. Møller and Samuel Johnson undertook the construction and later became the commanders of the main fortification; this was in 1876. The first Norwegian hotelkeeper in Idaho was Knud Madison. He started a boarding house in the Genesee valley, where Genesee City now lies and T. E. Møller provided the house with a sign on which he wrote Genesee Hotel in large letters. And so the city got its name. This to the annoyance of a Jew who had arrived earlier and had begun calling the place Jerusalem - but had failed to supply his store with a sign! The first Norwegian congregation in the State of Idaho was established at Moscow, Latah Co. in the 80s. The founder was Pastor C. Eriksen of The Methodist Church. The first Norwegian church in the county (and the State) was built by that congregation in 1887. Now there are in this county (Latah) 3 Norwegian churches and 8 congregations, of which 2 belong to The Methodist Church, 2 to The Norwegian Synod and 4 to The United Church. Knud Larsen of Genesee was the first Norwegian to hiod public office in Idaho. He was a Member of the State Legislature.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. By Olaf Kringhaug Nordlyset, the first Norwegian newspaper in America needs a longer discussion. As well, it will be of interest for some to read a letter from one of the newspaper's first typesetters, who still lives in the Muskego-settlement where the newspaper was published. The letter in translated and abbreviated form reads: Wind Lake, Wis., 20th June 1905. Mr. Martin Ulvestad! Your query of 29th last month I received a short time ago. And yesterday I drove to Burlington, ca. 10 miles from here, to confer with my cousin Ole Heg, who I worked with on 'Nordlyset' from beginning to end. Below you will find the total of the information that it is possible for us to give. "As early as 1845 some of the more informed Norwegians began to speak of the desirability of having a newspaper in the Norwegian language and a couple of years after, James D. Reymert†, Even Heg† and Søren Backe† agreed to start the same. From Philadelphia they ordered sent a press and type and in Chicago they got hold of a typographer - a young man by the name of Erick Anderson† who had worked for thr 'Chicago Tribune' for a time. With the gifted James Reymert as editor and the able Erick Anderson as typesetter and printer and with Ole Heg and me as simple typesetter apprentices, 'Nordlyset' began publication in Norway, Racine Co. in 1847, once a week in a size of 4 four-column pages. It was an ordinary news and story paper but it also dealt a little in politics since it took the Free Soil Party's side - against slavery. It reached a subscription of ca. 300. In 1849 it was bought by Knud Langeland† and O. J. Hatlestad† who moved it to Racine, Wis. Ole Heg and I followed as typesetters. At Racine the publication of the paper continued in the same spirit and form - but under the name 'Demokraten' and with Knud Langeland as editor. After having existed for 2 years in Norway and one and a half years in Racine, it folded." Yours obligingly Even Skofstad* The newspaper thus ceased publication after an existence of three and a half years. It had operated at a loss the whole time which is easy to understand. There could naturally be no talk of any great circulation since the Norwegians here were certainly relatively few in those days - and the majority were in reality so poor that they could not pay for a newspaper. As newcomers they as a rule had enough to just provide themselves with the most necessary items for life. *Before Skofstad quit as a typographer, he helped Pastor Ole Andrewsen of the Fox River Settlement, Ill. with the printing of 'Guldbergs Salmebog'. And for a year he worked in Madison, Wis. on 'Luthers Huspostil' and 'Den Norske Amerikaner' that Elias Stangeland published.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Clackamas County In the vicinity of Kelso there is a small Norwegian settlement. Torkel Johnsrud was the first, or at least one of the first, there. At Monitor there are also some Norwegians. There are three Norwegian congregations and one Norwegian church in this county, one belongs to The Norwegian Synod, another to The United Church and the third to The Methodist Church.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Lincoln County The founder of the Norwegian settlement at Toledo was Otto O. Krogstad from Drammen. He came from Walsh Co., N. D. and settled there as a pharmacist in 1894. Later in the year came Hans O. Olsen†, P. Tellefsen and T. Tellefsen, all from Stavanger, Carl Knudsen from Christiansand, Andreas Krogstad from Drammen, O. E. Rache from Sogn, Henrik Tronsen from Bergen and Anton Bredesen, born in Wisconsin. Otto Krogstad is the only Norwegian to hold public office here. He is a magistrate in Toledo. Pastor C. M. Nødtvedt of The United Church established a Norwegian congregation at Toledo (or in Ny Hardanger, as the Norwegian settlement was called) in 1897. This congregation built a church in 1902. There are no other Norwegian congregations or churches in this county.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Lane County The first Norwegian in Junction City, where there are a few Norwegians, was C. L. Hansen from Drammen. He settled there in 1893. P. Jacobsen, K. K. Notland and J. Larsen came next after Hansen. In Eugene there are also a few Norwegians of whom A. M. Newman (Amund Nymon) from Maalselvedalen was the first. There are two Norwegian congregations in Lane County, one belongs to The United Church, the other is a free congregation.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Washington County Phillip Olsen from Moss was the first, or at least one of the first Norwegian settlers in this county. He settled at Reedville in 1882. There is a little Norwegian settlement there with a congregation belonging to The Methodist Church.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Clatsop County The first Norwegian farmer in this county was Hans Anderson from Egersund. He settled at Mishawaka in the 70s. The first in the vicinity of Westport was Iver Hansen who settled there in 1879. But even before that time there were Norwegians who had settled at the fishing town Astoria, where our people are quite numerous. Also there, the county's first Norwegian congregation was established - in 1877. The congregation belongs to The Norwegian Synod and its first priest was E. Christensen†. The first Norwegian church in the county was built by the Methodist congregation in 1888. Now there are 6 Norwegian congregations and 3 churches in Clatsop County, 2 of them belong to The Norwegian Synod, 2 to the Methodists and 2 to The Lutheran Free Church. Three Norwegian have held public office in Astoria; T. Brække† as Justice of the Peace and Paul Stangeland and L. O. Bjelland as City Councillors. Also there (in Clatsop County), Hans Lorentsen and a Mr. Svindseth were recently nominated for the State Legislature but they belonged to the losing Party. In this county there is a post office with the name Swensen.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Columbia County The first permanent Norwegian in this county was Cato Parelius, who settled at Quincy in 1873. He was from Hitteren. A Norwegian Lutheran congregation was established there in 1886. Now there are 3 small congregations in the county, 2 belong to The Norwegian Synod and 1 to The Methodist Church.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Marion County The first real settlement (of Norwegians) in Oregon was established at Silverton in this county. P. K. Johnson was the first who settled there. Now there are 5 Norwegian congregations and 4 churches (in Marion County), 2 of them belong to The United Church, 1 to The Norwegian Synod, 1 to the Methodists and 1 to the Adventists.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Multnomah County In the City of Portland, which is in this county, there are quite a few Norwegians and quite a few of them came here fairly early. However, it is impossible to say who came first. In 1876 a Norwegian Lutheran was established - the first not only for Portland but for the whole State. Pastor Lauritz Carlson of the Norwegian Synod was its first priest. The first Norwegian church in Portland, that similarly was the first in the State, was built by a Methodist congregation in 1883. Now there are 4 Norwegian congregations and 4 churches in the city, 2 of them belong to The Methodist Church, 1 to The Norwegian Synod and 1 to The United Church. The Norwegian Iver Fretland of Portland has been a Member of the State Legislature. For information about "Vidnesbyrdet" and Pacific Skandinaven" see the section, 'Norwegian-American newspapers and periodicals in America'.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. California Some of the first Norwegians to set foot on California soil were seamen and some were gold seekers and any definite report on them is impossible.* Among the Norwegian gold seekers in the 50s can be mentioned O. B. Dahle from Nissedal, Telemarken and the Vossings Amund Hovne, Lars Seim, Gullick T. Saue, Ole Bøe and Sjur Bøe. They were among the first and as far as is known they all went back to Dane Co., Wis. where they settled and where most became well known later. Another gold seeker worthy of mention was John H. Thoresen, a seaman from Mandal, who after sailing around the world, settled as a gold seeker here. That was a dangerous occupation, many lost their lives in those days and Thoresen came close to losing his. Once when he was on a trip, a couple of his fellow travellers had conspired to rob him of his gold and kill him. However, a young woman had overheard part of the conversation and advised Thoresen in time. She later became his wife and the live in San Francisco, where T. is now a well-known businessman. Among the first Norwegians who settled in California there can be mentioned; Nils Hansen from Flekkefjord in Eureka, Humboldt Co., Mr. Leque in Santa Rosa, Sonoma Co., Osmund Johnson and O. Swensen in Modesto, Stanislaus Co., Pastor H. L. Haakonson† in Red Bluff, Tehama Co. and Pastor Løken, pries for an American congregation in Richmond, Contra Costa Co. Hans Jevne from Hamar, who for a long time has operated in the grocery trade in Los Angeles, is one of the oldest Norwegians there. His business is considered among the largest on the Pacific Coast. He employs ca. 130 men and 40 delivery teams. Casberg Wade from Stordalen near Aalesund was the first Norwegian farmer at Golita, Santa Barbara Co., where there is now a Norwegian settlement. The first to visit this place, however, was Hans Nickelsen Engeseth from Stranden in Søndmøre. He first came on foot from the eastern states to Washington where he built a sawmill and where he was unlucky to saw off his right hand. Later he came to Santa Barbara Co. and he died there in hospital in 1899, 75 years old. A little Norwegian settlement that once existed at Newbury Park, Ventura Co. is now just history, only Nils Olson from Stranden, Søndmøre and N. Nilsen Ansok remain of the original settlers here. Vor Frelser Congregation, that was established in San Francisco in 1871 by Pastor Hvistendal of The Norwegian Synod, is the oldest Norwegian congregation in San Francisco - and in the State of California. Now there are 4 Norwegian congregations and 3 churches in San Francisco, 2 belong to The Norwegian Synod, 1 to The United Church and 1 to The Methodist Church. There is also a Norwegian Seaman's Home with a reading room established by The Norwegian Synod. In Oakland, Alameda County we have two Norwegian congregations with churches, 1 belonging to The Norwegian Synod, the other to the Methodists. In Los Angeles County there are 4 Norwegian congregations and 2 churches, 2 of the congregations belong to The Methodist Church, 1 to The United Church and 1 to The Norwegian Synod. In Santa Rosa, Sonoma County there is a congregation and church that belongs to Hauge's Synod. At Orland, Glenn County there is a congregation belonging to The United Church. In Santa Barbara there is also a Norwegian congregation, it is served from Los Angeles. In San Diego there was a Norwegian congregation and church a few years ago but because of clerical conflict and division the church work had to be given up. The church was sold. In Eureka, Humboldt County there are 2 Norwegian-Danish congregations and 2 churches, one belongs to The Norwegian Synod and the other to The Methodist Church. According to one of my correspondents "Bien" was the name of a lovely illustrated Norwegian newspaper that was published in San Francisco. Later came "Luthersk Sendebud", then "Fram" and finally "Pacific Posten". See the section 'Norwegian-American newspapers and periodicals'. A Mr. Nilsen, who lived in San Francisco, was as far as is known, the only Norwegian who has held a public office of any significance in California. He was a Member of the State Legislature for a time. There are three post offices with Norwegian names in California, Nord in Butte Co., Iverson in Mendocino Co. and Monson in Tulare Co. However, there are extremely few Norwegians in these counties. *It is told that Kjel Kaalstangen from Levang (at Kragerø) was one of those who found himself on the Pacific Coast at the end of the 40s and since the construction in San Francisco was to begin, he went there and immediately found work. He told himself that he took part of the laying of the foundation stone for the first building that was erected in San Francisco.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Colorado For a long time Norwegians and people of other nationalities have found employment in the Colorado mines. But mine workers cannot be considered as permanent settlers. The same holds for those who have worked in cities - in Denver, for example. In that city, however, there are a few Norwegian businessmen but they are americanized so it is not easy to find them. Of early Norwegian settlers in other parts of the State can be mentioned; A. M. Ovren from Lillehammer, he was the first in Leadville, Lake Co., to where he came in 1878 and where he worked as a master painter until his death in 1896. The first Norwegians in Fowler, Otero Co. were B. Bendixson from Stavanger and Ole Ericksen from Egersund. In Longmont, Boulder Co. the first were O. G. Rugtvedt from Kviteseid, Øvre Telemarken and a Mr. Hovlid. The first Norwegian congregation in Colorado was established in Denver in 1882 by Pastor H. L. Jensen of The Norwegian Synod. And the first Norwegian church in the State was built in Denver by a congregation served by Pastor H. P. Hanson and that belonged to The General Synod. But because of the clerical divisions among our people, the church's debts were not paid, so the congregation lost its church, which is now used by the Mormons. Now there are three Norwegian congregations each with its own church in Denver, - The Norwegian Synod's, The United Church's and The Methodist Church's. In addition The Norwegian Synod has a congregation in Fowler, Otero Co., one in Elbert Co. and one in Grand Co. The United Church has a congregation in Longmont, Boulder Co. and The General Synod has had one in Leadville, Lake Co., small congregations, all of them. "Duen" was the name of a newspaper that was published in Denver for 4 years. Consul H. R. Sahlgaard writes that no Norwegians can be found who held public positions in Colorado and he believes that there have never been any. However, from another source it is reported that the Norwegian T. L. Monson for a time held the position of State Dairy Commissioner. He lived in Denver. In Elbert Co. there was once a post office with the name Holtwold, the only place with a Norwegian name in Colorado.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Jefferson County There are a few scattered Norwegian and a congregation belonging to The United Church. On the accompanying map one can find both the places where there are many and those where there are a few Norwegians. And if one also reads the margin notes on the map he will get a good understanding of the whole.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Clay County There are only a few Norwegians in this county, they live at Morganville and are mainly from Bergen or Stavanger. There is also a congregation belonging to The United Church.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Gove County Nels L. Norman from Voss was the first Norwegian in the vicinity of Oakley where there is a small Norwegian settlement. He settled there in 1884. Information about other countrymen is found in "Sammenstilling af norske Sambygdinger i Amerika."

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Clark County Andrew Hansen, whose parents came from Kongsberg, was the first Norwegian in the vicinity of Englewood where there is a little Norwegian settlement. He came there in 1887.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Phillips County The first Norwegian settlers here were Edward and Johan Hansen from Bryn in Røken. They came from Koshkonong, Wis. and settled at Long Island, Kans. in 1874. They made dugouts and began to grow wheat and maize but the grasshoppers destroyed the crops in two successive years so there was real famine among the settlers. However, they preserved their lives by letting one or another buffalo lose theirs. It was 75 miles to Karney Junction, the settlers' nearest marketplace. Long Island Lutheran Mission Congregation, that was established in 1877 by Pastor O. Baker, was the first and until now the only Norwegian congregation in the county.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Cloud and Jewell Counties The founder of the little Norwegian settlement on the border between Cloud and Jewell Counties was Hans Olsen of Kongsvinger. He came from Chicago and settled near Jamestown in 1869. Later in the year came Frank Breckan† from Trondhjem, Helge Andersen Ruud from Vang Parish, Valders and H. M. Torneby from Rødenæs Parish. Helge Ruud writes that at that time the area was full of buffaloes and wild Indians. "Once the Indians drove us 12 miles east where we gathered together and prepared to defend ourselves. It was 70 miles to the Land Office and we had to walk because there was no railroad and we had no vehicles. Our first homes were dugouts. We began growing wheat and maize but several years passed before we had anything to sell since the drought and grasshoppers destroyed our crops. Now it is better in every respect," he says. In 1872 a Norwegian congregation was established by Pastors N. C. Brun and R. E. Bøe. In these two counties there are now 2 Norwegioan churches and 3 congregations, 2 belong to The United Church and 1 to The Norwegian Synod.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Republic County August and George Asbjørnsen† from Horten came to Scandia, Kans. (where there were a number of Swedes) in February 1869. T. A. Nelson from Porsgrund came about the same time. And in August the same year (1869) the Trønder R. Rimol came and settled at Norway. They were thus the county's first Norwegian settlers. They dug their dugouts and began to grow wheat and maize which they brought with the help of oxen to Waterville, 65 miles away. It should as well be mentioned that two others from Melhus who settled at Norway were J. Lehn and Brynjulf B. Stensaas. But in 1882 Lehn went back to Norway where he died; Stensaas died in 1889. Vor Frelsers Congregation at Norway P.O. and in Norway Township, established in 1872 by Pastor Høiland and belonging to Hauge's Synod, is the only Norwegian congregation in the county. Now it belongs to The United Church. The church was built in 1888. Carl Hugaas from Strinden Parish near Trondhjem has been a Member of the State Legislature and the aforementioned R. Rimol has held the post as County Commissioner.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Brown and Doniphan Counties Ole Ericksen from the Arendal or Kristiansand area was the founder of the settlement that stretches over the eastern part of Brown and the western part of Doniphan Counties. He settled in the area between Everest and Leona in the 60s. The nearest marketplaces were St. Joseph and Atchinson. Wheat growing was their leading source of income. Ole Nilsen from Grimstad was the first Norwegian in the vicinity of Robinson, Brown County. And Daniel Anderson from Sogn was the first in the vicinity of Dentonville, Doniphan County. Pastor Roernæs writes that the first Norwegian settlers came from Missouri to Kansas just at the time the Slave and Free Soil parties fought for power in the State (Kans.), the battle was intense and was also full of comical events that the settlers enjoyed telling about in later years. Øvre Wolf Congregation, that was established at Robinson in 1870 by Pastor N. C. Brun, then of The Conference, was the first Norwegian congregation in these two counties. The church was built in 1877. Now there are 2 Norwegian churches and 3 congregations, 2 belong to The United Church and 1 to The Lutheran Free Church. In Doniphan County there was for a time a post office called Norway. ------------------------------------------------------- In Douglas County there is a post office called Vinland and in Ness County there is a town by the same name (Ness) that certainly sound Norwegian but there are no Norwegians to be found, either in Vinland or Ness.