Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Sherburne County The first Norwegians in this county were Ole Pedersen, Peder Thoresen and Ole Jacobsen, who settled at Orrock in 1871. Next after them came Erik Olson, Christian Olson, Ole Hansen, Berger Mathisen, G. Nelson, Anders Larsen and Ole Hermansen. The first Norwegian in the settlement at Santiago was Gunder Aslaksen, who settled there in 1881. Pastor Ole Paulson of The Conference had established a congregation at Orrock already in 1873, it was the first Norwegian congregation in the county. Now there are 4 Norwegian congregations and 4 churches, 3 belong to The Norwegian Synod and 1 to The Lutheran Free Church. J. O. Gilligaard was the first Norwegian county official, he was elected Commissioner in 1902.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Scott County The first Norwegians to take land in this county were Ole Rouland from Telemarken, and Peder Thompson and Torstein Knutsen from Valders. That was in 1856 and they settled in the vicinity of New Market. But they moved to Dakota County a short time later. Ole K. Stee† from Telemarken (or Valders?) and Tosten Stordal from Hedemarken were the first actual settlers in the county. The settled at New Market in 1859. Since none of my correspondents in this county has ventured to write anything further, I will quote an excerpt from that time, 'Terje Terjeland' came to America. The account was coined in 'mixed language' which, alas, also suits the situation in our time. "Right after their arrival from Norway, Terje and some others were guests of a man who lived on the second floor. His wife was making pancakes. The cat tried time and again to get a taste but was scared away by the man. Finally, the man became angry and took the cat and threw it down the stairs and shouted, 'Du e den styggaste raskal, æg har seet uti denna contry. Æg ska teke deg by de neck og hiva deg downstairs nerover trappen, saa det smala i deg' 'You are great at speaking English,' said Terje, 'I did not understand a single word.' 'Det trur æg nok,' replied the man proudly, 'for naar æg blir vond, saa spika me altid English." There are 3 Norwegian congregations and 2 churches in Scott County, 2 belong to Hauge's Synod and 1 to The Norwegian Synod. A post office by the name Eidsvold existed here for a time.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. St. Louis County Paul Shervey from Levanger was, as far as is known, the first Norwegian that settled in this county. He was at least, one of the first. It was in 1870 that he took up residence in in Duluth, where he was elected Sheriff for a time. Later he was appointed State Marshall. He died in 1904. P. O. Stenson, who in his time was one of the city's first businessmen and property owners, was also a pioneer. He came to Duluth in 1872. In 1879 there was established a Norwegian Lutheran congregation in the aforementioned city. Now there are 15 Norwegian congregations and 12 churches in St. Louis County, 7 belong to The United Church, 3 to The Norwegian Synod, 2 to Hauge's Synod, 2 to The Lutheran Free Church and 1 to The Methodist Church. 'Duluth Scandinav', a Norwegian newspaper, began at the end of the 80s, next 'Scandia' that is now published in Chicago, as well as 'Duluth Banner', which after a short time, merged with 'Superior Tidende' (in 1902). Now (1905) they are gathering funds for a Norwegian hospital in Duluth. The hospital will bear the name of the deceased Chairman Hoymes. Norwegian place names; Breda, Skibo, Norway, Norman, Sundby and Molde.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Roseau County In 1887 the following Norwegians came to the vicinity of Roseau and settled, Mikal Anderson, whose parents were from Toten, Per and Nils Jørgensen Bø from Drangedal, Gunvold Solum from Valders, Jacon Sønsteng, Jacob Lunde and Joe Dalen, all from Gudbrandsdalen, Ivar Torfin and John Torfin from Hardanger, Andrew Thompson† from Eidskogen, Christian R. Eilertsen† from Kristiania, Thor Gundersen from Østmarken, G. A. Overvold from Aadalen, Ole F. Lien and Ole O. Moen from Hedalen, Valders, Østen Haugen, also from Valders, as well as Ole Olafsen and H. Shervem, whose birthplace in Norway is unknown. These came to Roseau in several groups at various times of the year. In the vicinity of Pine Creek and Ross, these were the first, Arne Knutsen from Valders, Sivert Eriksen Rue from Hallingdal, as well as Gulbrand Bertilrud, Martin Braaten, Anders K. Lund and Nels Besserud. The first in the vicinity of Duxby was Fred Andal from Domaas*, Dovre. He supported himself and his family by through hunting, the first years. Syver E. Haugtvedt from Gran, Hadeland and Amund Pedersen, Otto K. Foss, Edward Holen, Ivar Alme, C. L. Hagen, Tron Hermansen, Hans Hagen and Colbjørn Johnson were the first in the vicinity of Pelan. At Greenbush, Nels Samson from Sogn, was the first. The first in the vicinity of Pencer was Ole L. Haugen from Ringerike. And in the vicinity of Sanwick, the brothers Halvor and Ole† Johnson were first. T. S. Nomeland, who came to Roseau in 1888, the year after the first settlers, tells the following, "I and many others with me left North Dakota to find a home in northern Minnesota. The distance was ca. 150 miles. I had a pair of old oxen for the wagon, in which I packed my family, my furnishings and the necessary provisions for the trip. However, we had not come far when a terrible rainstorm broke out, the road became muddy and the few bridges there were, were washed away. But we did get through after a long and anything but a pleasant journey. The settlement's main source of income was wheat and cattle raising. It was 75 miles to the nearest marketplace, Stephen. People drove there with their oxen, both winter and summer and when evening came, they had to rest, whether they had come to a house or not. There was no question of comfort. One had to accept everything that came, no matter how sad it was. Indians we had enough of in this area. And in the winter of 1890 came rumours that they going to chase the whites away. Here there was real confusion. They let their livestock out so they could feed on the haystacks and then they took their families and some provisions and left. Night and day one could see refugees passing by. A meeting was held at Jadis (now Roseau) P.O. and there we made the decision to build a blockhouse, where the women and children could be brought, and where the men would serve as a guard. The rest of the men skilled with weapons would then meet the enemy. Rifles and ammunition had come to Hallock from the government in Washington for the use of the settlers. It was also decided (by us) that 3 scouts would be sent to Lake of the Woods to observe the movements of the assembled Indians. We had actually been informed that 300 of them had gathered there for a war dance (a sign of departure) and it was up to us to keep an eye on them after they were finished with the dance. One of the scouts was Andrew Solum from Ringerike. In a few days they came back with happy news that there were 300 friendly Indians gathered there and there was nothing to fear. While the frightened settlers had fortified themselves at Jadis, the Indian chief Meckinock had looked after their livestock and kept an eye on their abandoned homes. He was a splendid chap." The first Norwegian congregation was established at Jadis (now Roseau) in 1889 and came to belong to The Conference. K. V. Birkeland was the first priest that visited this area, R. Askeland was the first resident priest. The first Norwegian church in Roseau County was built by the aforementioned congregation in 1896. Now there are 22 congregations and 14 churches, 10 belong to The Lutheran Free Church, 5 to The United Church, 4 to Hauge's Synod and 3 to The Norwegian Synod. This county was part of Kittson County until 1895. It was then that the partition took place and Roseau got its name. The Norwegians, Hans Ericksen, A. O. Skagen, Syver G. Bertilrud, A. G. Løkken and T. S. Nomeland were members of the first county government (1895). Norwegian place names; Haug, Grimstad, Sanwick, Soler (Solør) and Caspersen. *This seems to be a typo for Dombaas. OK

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Rock County Bendik Evensen (Evans) from Valders and Ole Steen, his name given to the Steen P.O., were the first Norwegians in this county. The settled in Clinton Township (in the vicinity of Steen) in 1870. In Martin Township (vicinity of Hills), Nils Anderson, Anders Anderson† and Joseph Jacobsen were the first, they settled her in 1871. They were all from Helgeland. In 1870, Ole Nilssen claimed land at Luverne but he did not settle there until 1872. The first real settlers here were T. O. Opsata and Ole Hage from Hallingdal, who settled here in 1871. T. O. Tollefsen, Sevat Anderson and Ole Guldhagen, all from Hallingdal, were the first in the vicinity of Hardwick, they settled there in 1871. Anton Larsen from Nittedal was also one of the first settlers there. In his time went by land from Iowa to California by oxen, and was several times attacked by Indians. But he escaped with his life and was one of the luckier gold-seekers. He is now over 80 years old. Blue Mountain Congregation at Luverne was established in 1872 by Pastor Hans Z. Hvid, belonging to The Conference. At tha same time the Rock River Congregation, 14 miles southwest of Luverne, was established by Pastor E. Olson, belonging to The Norwegian Synod. These were thus, the first congregations. The first Norwegian church was built by the aforementioned Blue Mountain Congregation in 1875. Now there are 11 Norwegian congregations and 8 churches, 5 of them belong to The United Church, 5 to The Norwegian Synod and 1 to The Lutheran Free Church. The first Norwegian to hold public office in the county was J. O. Helgesen, he was elected Court Clerk in 1874. Norwegian place names; Kongsberg and Steen.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Rice County That part of Rice county that adjoins Goodhue County at Kenyon was settled at the same time as Goodhue (see there). The first Norwegian in Rice County (outside of the Goodhue settlements) was Ole Torgusen† from Sætersdalen. He settled in the vicinity of Walcott in 1855. One of the pioneers wrtes, "One day in August 1862, an urgent message passed from house to house, that we should see to leaving as fast as we could, for the Indians were on the warpath. Then, shortly after came the word that it was a mistake.However, the people felt very insecure. There was war in the South and here at home the Indians were an impending danger. It was not at all splendid in those days. But finally both the rebels and the red men had to bite the dust. On the 26th December, I was in Mankato and watched when 36 Indians were hanged. They were buried like animals on the plains by the Minnesota River. But the people as well as the times and the land have changed for the better." There are 13 Norwegian congregations and 11 churches in Rice county, 5 belong to The United Church, 3 to The Norwegian Synod, 3 to Hauge's Synod and 2 to The Lutheran Free Church. Osmund Osmundsen was the first Norwegian here to be elected to a higher position. He represented Rice county in the State Legislature from 1872-73. St. Olaf College was started in Northfield in 1874. It was also there that the Anti-Missouri Brotherhood, that marked the beginning of The United Church, was established in 1886. 'Kinamissionæren' was the name of a Norwegian mission newspaper that Hauge's Synod published in Faribault in the 90s. Norwegian place names in Rice County: Trondhjem, Moland, Urland and Nerstrand.

Hi Ellen, I do find this if it helps: <http://searches1.rootsweb.com/usgenweb/archives/mn/kanabec/cemeteries/bruns wic.txt> Stark, Alice Louise 19 May 1912 age 22 Years Old Stark, Harry T. 1894 1977 Stark, Mary 1865 1946 Mother Stark, Peter 1864 1937 Father Stark, Wendla O. 1899 > Hello Margit, > > Would you be kind enough to see if there is any entry on a P. Stark (I > believe it is Peder) in Kanebac County; and any of his ancestors... > > Thank you! > > Ellen > >> Hi all, >> >> I have this book and will do lookups for people on this list until January >> 1, 2005. It has a good index. It has good Biographies and some pictures. >> Compendium of History & Biography of Northern Minnesota. >> >> Margit > > > ==== NOR-VEST-AGDER Mailing List ==== > Visit http://www.fellesraad.com/ > Norwegian-American Bygdelagenes Fellesraad > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx >

Hi Ellen, Sorry, no Stark's. Margit > > Hello Margit, > > Would you be kind enough to see if there is any entry on a P. Stark (I > believe it is Peder) in Kanebac County; and any of his ancestors... > > Thank you!

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Redwood County Ole Pedersen Hals from Hasseløen, Vesteraalen was the first Norwegian settler in Redwood County. He settled in the vicinity of Vesta in 1868. Next after him came Sivert Olsen from Kvæfjord parish, Martin, Halvor and Syvert M. Dahl and Gunerius Knudsen, all from Aasnes, Solør, Engebret C. Lyse from Lyse at Stavanger, Lars Haagensen Nordland from Strand at Stavanger, N. S. Lewis Sabbe from Ulvik, Hardanger, Greger J. Huseby from Opdal, Nummedal and Jens P. Hustad and Bernt Frøland, both from Hjørundfjord, Søndmøre. The first in the area of Grunden was Lars Pedersen from Strilelandet. he came there in 1871. The same year (1871) there came to the area of Sundown, Lars Højem from Levanger, Martin and Ludvig Bredvold from Hedemarken and Jacob Lorens from Trøndelagen. They were the first in this vicnity. There are 7 Norwegian congregations and 5 churches in Redwood County, 3 of them belong to The United Church, 3 to the Norwegian synod and 1 to The Lutheran Free Church. The Norwegian Lutheran Children's Home in Lamberton was started in 1898. In 1905, it was moved to Willmar. 'Norrøna' was the name of a Norwegian newspaper that was published at Walnut Grove about 1900. Haagen Anderson† of Lamberton, was the first Norwegian to hold public office in the county. he was elected Commissioner in 1870. Places with Norwegian names; Ann and Storden. The latter town got its name from a Noreegian settler, who went under the name 'Store John' (Big John) that was shortened to Storden. The town of Ann was named after Mrs. Anne Andersen, the wife of Haagen Andersen, who, as mentioned above, was the county's first Norwegian official.

Hello Margit, Would you be kind enough to see if there is any entry on a P. Stark (I believe it is Peder) in Kanebac County; and any of his ancestors... Thank you! Ellen > Hi all, > > I have this book and will do lookups for people on this list until January > 1, 2005. It has a good index. It has good Biographies and some pictures. > Compendium of History & Biography of Northern Minnesota. > > Margit

Hi all, I have this book and will do lookups for people on this list until January 1, 2005. It has a good index. It has good Biographies and some pictures. Compendium of History & Biography of Northern Minnesota. Margit

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Red Lake County The first Norwegian in this county was Ole Branum from Trondhjem. He settled at St. Hilaire. The year is not known. Gilbert K. Hove from Valders - - settled in the vicinity of Thief River Falls in 1881. Later in the year came another Valdris, namely Ole Aabole as well as Nils Knudsen and K. Knudsen from Nummedal, Hans Langseth from Søndre Gubrandsdalen, Sander Engebretsen from Hallingdal and A. A. Wassen from Søndre Land. In the vicinity of Tweet, Sevrin L. Dimmen from Søndre Søndmøre was the first. He settled at Tweet at the same time as the aformentioned persons settled at St. Hilaire - - thus 1881. The year after, the Sogning, Ole J. Hegg, settled in the vicinity of Wyandotte and so was the first there. Martin Rockstad, said to be from the Kristiania area, was the first in the area where Rockstad P.O. is now located. Red Lake County, however, is not old. For a long time it was part of Polk County. The Indians here were, as in many other places where Norwegians settled, their neighbours in the first years. They built log cabins and began to grow wheat and oats, that they took to Crookston, where they also made their purchases. It was 40 miles to there. There was no closer marketplace. There are 14 Norwegian congregations and 9 churches in Red lake County, 4 belong to The United Church, 4 to the Norwegian Synod, 2 to The Methodist Church, 2 to Hauge's Synod and 2 to The Lutheran Free Church. For information on Norwegian county officials, se the xsection, 'Norwegians in public office in America'. Places with Norwegian names; Norden, Nummedal, Garnes, Tweet (Tvedt) and Rockstad.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Ramsey County Who were the first Norwegians in Ramsey County, which includes Minnesota's capital, St. Paul, is not known. But it is known that St. Paul and its neighbour, St. Anthony Falls (now Minneapolis) were the end of civilisation until the end of the 40s. West of these cities, that are cut through by the Mississippi River, there were no white people before one got to Utah with its Mormons and to the Pacific coast with its fortune hunters and adventurers. However, that there were Norwegian workers in the sawmills in St. Paul by the beginning of the 50s is fairly certain As well at that time, the immigrant flow to Minnesota was fairly strong - especially via the Twin Cities. John A. Hansen from Mo i Ranen had the honour of working on the first railway bridge crossing the Mississippi River (in Minnesota), that was built in St. Paul in 1867. Earlier he was a ship's carpenter but at the aforementioned time came the railroads with their bridges and ruined shipping, he said. (We have found Hansen mentioned before - under Polk County, Wis., where he was one of the first settlers and where he still lives. The first Norwegian congregation in St. Paul (and Ramsey County) was established in 1858 by Pastor (later professor) Laur. Larsen, belonging to The Norwegian Synod, and he also served it for a time from Rush River, Wis., where he was then the priest. The first Norwegian priest who settled in St. Paul was O. A. Norman, who also belonged to The Synod. He took over serving the abovementioned congregation in 1869. Until that time it was served by itinerant priests. Its church - the first Norwegian church in the city and county - was built in 1881. Now there are 11 congregations and 9 churches in Ramsey County, 2 belong to The Norwegian Synod, 2 to Hauge's Synod, 2 are Independent Lutheran, 1 to The United Church, 1 to The Lutheran Free Church, 1 to The Evangelical Free Church, 1 to the Methodists and 1 to the Baptists. For information about 'Nordvesten', Theologisk Tidskrift', 'Jubilate', 'Smuler', 'Valdris Helsing', 'Den Evangeliske Basun', 'Heimdal' and 'St. Paul Tidende' etc, see the section,'Norwegian-American newdpapers and periodicals'. And for information about The Norwegian Synod's seminary (Luther Seminary) in Hamline, The United Church's seminary in St. Paul Park and Luther Hospital in St. Paul itself, see their respective sections. About Norwegians in public office, one can find information is a special section elsewehere in the book. At the State Agricultural College, Scandinavians have, as a rule, ranked as No. 1, which is certainly of great significance. That they have been seen as 'practical farmers', we have always knoen, but that they stand at the top in the theoretical aspect has been less known. It is with happiness that such things can be noted.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Pope County The first Norwegian settlers in this county were John Johnson Sandvig† and Greger Halvorsen, both from Telemarken, as well as Salve Olsen Gakkestad from Sætersdalen. They came from Scandinavia, Wis. and settled in the vicinity of a lake, that they gave the name of Lake Johanna, a name it still bears. This was in 1860. Later in the year came Olaus Olsen† from Kragerø and Ole Kittelsen Evretvet from Sætersdalen. And next after them came Ole Reina† and Halvor Hjelstad† from Telemarken, Iver O. Rønning† and Hans Engebretsen from Gudbrandsdalen, Torger Vesteland, Knut Torgersen, And. Torgersen, Gunder Olsen† and Knut Wisnæs†, all from Sætersdalen, Ole Livdalen† from Hallingdal, Ole Pedersen† from Valders, Nils N. Barsness, O. N. Barsness and E. N. Barsness from Sogn and later a number of Telemarkings, namely Knut Simon†, Børre Olsen†, Aslak Swensen† and Aslak Ovesen, as well as Martin Ranvig from Kongsvinger and the brothers Wollan, Anton Holte and Andreas Schey, all from Stod, near Trondhjem. They spread out in various directions, Gilchrist, Barsness, Starbuck and Glenwood. The first in the vicinity of Lowry was Nils Mikkelsen from Røraas. He settled there in 1864. Torsten Hovde from Gjerdahls parish, who came there the year after Mikkelsen, says that the crane fly was their worst enemy, they were so bad that had they not diminished in the first two years, he would have been necessary to move from there. The first at Cyrus was Christian Johnson. He came from Iowa and slept under open skies for two months. The new settlers' main source of income was wheat and cattle raising. In addition they trapped muskrats for which there was a good price. There was no nearer marketplaces than St. Cloud and Sauk Center and to these places it was 50 to 75 miles from the farmers' respective homes. In Pope County, as in many other places, they had to live in dugouts and log cabins the first years, and for plowing and driving they had nothing else but oxen. The following poem come from the veteran A. Torguson of Glenwood: "Glenwood, beautiful Glenwood, that lovely little place, Like a crown it lies in a charming vale, On the lovely shore of Minnewaska's waters, Like a mirror it gives a reflection from heaven!" Halvor Ericksen from Nordre Aurdal, Valders, who was one of the first settlers in Pope County, now living at Thief River Falls, Minn., writes, "Much could be told of our pioneer days but what stands out clearest in my recollection is an event that took place the10th July 1875. We went out as usual that day to break new land. Suddenly we became aware of a group of riders on the way at an uncommon speed and who spread out in various directions to the farmers in the neighbourhood One of them rode up to us and shouted that we must unhitch our oxen from the plow, for this was a matter of life and death. The White Earth Indians had broken out of their reservation and were coming southward, killing and plundering what they could! He also gave the order that all the settlers should assemble at Ole Ericksen's where there was much forest and where there was a good defensive position, since it lay between two lakes. There was a good room on the isthmus (between these two lakes) for both people and livestock and we set up a strong guard. 'Take what you have of weapons and ammunition,' he added. Then he rode on as fast as his frothing horse could stand. And we hurried and packed our most important possessions and then went to the aforementioned gathering place, where several hundred people had already gathered and where they had fortified themselves with wagons,boxes, sacks, furniture etc. They also had a good supply of shotguns and rifles, yes even axes and hayforks ready for use, if necessary. But luckily - we avoided our fears. The Indians did not get far that time." Three whit settlers (not Norwegians) had been killed in Pope County by the Indians (during the first immgration here) and the rest of the pioneers had been chased away, but they came back. Daniel Anderson from Ibestad, Nordland, one of the old settlers at Lake Johanna, tells, "I was one of those who emigrated by sailship. It took us 17 weeks from Bodø to Quebec, there was plague and other diseases aboard, and many a corpse was buried in the sea. There was also starvation among us, since the trip was so long and because we were so many - - ca. 900 people, mostly from Helgeland and Namdalen. - - - The first winter, we lived in our little dugouts, we had Indians and half-breeds for neighbours, and in the summer there were swarms of them; their boats, that were made of birch bark, they carried on their heads. One of the worst nuisances was the mosquitoes, in the afternoons the mosquito swarms could be so thick that one could not see the sun through them." At that time we paid $17.00 to $18.00 for a barrel of flour, $45.00 to $50.00 for a cow, about $300.00 for a pair of draft oxen, $6.00 for an ox chain of 8 feet, #1.50 for an axe, $1.00 for a milk pail etc." In Pope County there are 24 Norwegian congregations and 19 churches, 14 belong to The Norwegian Synod, 6 to The United Church and 4 to The Lutheran Free Church. Andrew Torguson (Vesteland) was the first Norwegian to hold public office in the county, he was elected Coroner in 1866. Isaac Thorson was the first Norwegian legislator from here, he represented Pope County in the State Legislature by 1869. In Glenwood, there is a Norwegian High School, started in 1894. 'Fakkelen' is the name of a Norwegian newspaper that was published in Pope County for a short time in the 90s. Places with Norwegian names; Barsness, Eggen, Hoff, Hoverud, Langhei, Scandiaville, Trysil, Fron, Thorsen and Nora.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Polk County The first Norwegian settlers in this county were Leif Steenerson from Telemarken, Ole Estensen† from Tønset, as well as H. Simon, P. Simon, G. Spokkeli and Tollef Tollefsen, who settled in the vicinity of Climax and Nielsville in 1871. They came there from Houston Co., Minn. Their nearest marketplace was Alexandria, 150 miles away. This was then, before the iron horse and other swift horses began to be used in these parts. They had to be content with oxen, no matter how far it was. The new settlers began cattle raising, but wheat growing soon became the county's main source of income. The first Norwegians in the vicinity of Crookston were Peter Cornelius from the Kristiania area, the brothers Arens and Isak Simmons, as well as O. S. Johnson, Knut Brandvold and Bernhard Sampson. Jeweller Nels Olson† tells that he came there as a travelling salesman in 1873. At that time there was neither a town nor post office. They fetched their letters from Grand Forks. Knute Nelson from Bolstad, Voss (not the Senator, but another good Knut) was the first white man to settle in the area of Fertile, and the first person he met was an Indian on a horse. The first in the vicinity of McIntosh was K. R. Newton, whose parents came from Sætersdalen, as well as Knut A. Helle, Ole H. Hosto† and O. S. Sannes also from Sæterdalen, Gunnar Husby, John J. Torske and Martin Iversen† from Trondhjem, John D. Knutsen from Stavanger, Fredrik and J. B. Hansen from Gudbrandsdalen, H. Helgesen from Valders, Tobias Støbraaten† and A. P. Envold from Toten as well as Ole O. Stenmoen and Ole P. Rukke from Hallingdal. Mrs. Ingeborg Bee from Opdal and Inger Bee were the first to take land in the vicinity of Granville. Next after them came Johannes Bee* and Lars Eriksen, Rolf Olsen, A. Syrstad, A. Heierstad, Ole Hendriksen, Thomas Hendriksen and Hendrik Hendriksen. My correspondent in the aforementioned area writes, "I do not know anything that is interesting to tell about the pioneer's life unless it could be the manner in which the first wheat harvests were threshed. It was late in the fall and it was cold. Then water was poured on the ground and allowed to freeze until it was stone-hard, next the wheat bundles were laid on the ice and the cows and oxen set to tramp on them until the wheat was separated from the straw. This did not go fast, nevertheless if they were done by Christmas Eve, it was considered well done." Halstein Lade from Søvden, Søndmøre, one of the old settlers in the so-called Thirteen Towns writes, "Yes, I came truly into the wilderness, 56 miles from the nearest railway station. I began immediately to clear a little patch for a new settler's cabin for the family and myself. The forest was both thick and tall, so that a day's work did not make much difference. After work the first day, I was going to a neighbour, who lived about a 3/4 mile away. I felt certain that I was going in the right direction. Though, after I had walked for an hour, I began to wonder why I had not reached my destination. But soon I came to a place where some clearing had been done. Yes, I thought, here some new settler has thought to raise his pavilions, but where was I now? I had no idea. I examined the work and it came to me how like it was to that I had done that day. The tools also seemed to be like mine. Then it came to me, instead of travelling straight, I had walked in a circle and had thus come back to my own nest." About Halvor H. Aarhus from Laurdal, Telemarken, the first settler in the vicinity of Melvin, the following is told, that fits many others as well, "In 1868, he emigrated on the sailship 'Amalie' from Skien, a ship that was barely seaworthy. They were not so particular about what kind of ship the emigrants were transported in, and at this time they had to bring their own provisions and be their own cook. After a few days sailing, a fierce storm blew up, the ship developed a leak and it was only through great exertion that it was saved from sinking. After the crew had worked themselves dead-tired with the pumps came the turn of the male passengers. After 14 weeks sailing, they reached Quebec. The journey continued further to Lyle, Minn., where they lived for a time. From there they travelled in the usual way up through Minnesota, to Detroit took 4 weeks. Four weeks in a row, the family was bound to their wagon box with canvas as a roof. The canvas was stretched over some bows that were fastened to the wagon box. It is clear that it was tight and uncomfortable in there, where they also had their furnishings. Even worse, when the roads were such that every moment one feared the wagon would tip over. And they often met frost or rain and mud, that increased the trip's unpleasantness significantly. After stopping for a time in Detroit, the journey continued to the Red River Valley. Across the prairie lay masses of buffalo bones as a reminder that the buffalo as well as other animals and the Indians had ruled the land, and that now was the end of their dominion. On the 17th May, the whole company were to take permanent residence on their homesteads, but the roads were, as usual, not much, one after another got stuck in the mud, and when they were going to cross a river, both the livestock and loads threatened to float away. On arrival at Wild Rice, a furious snow storm blew up, but they still got to their land, where they immediately began to plow up turf for their sod huts, in which they soon began to feel at home." Next they would go to work clearing, plowing, sow - and harvest. And when this was done, they began to protect themselves against the settlers' worst enemy - the prairie fires. It happened not infrequently that fire broke out in the dry prairie grass and that an area of several miles circumference was a sea of flame. But as long as it was still, they felt somewhat safe. But if a strong wind came the fire would come at a furious pace and a deafening roar and spared neither life nor property if one had not insulated himself so it could not reach buildings and hay. Naturally, they also made use of all the water they could obtain and wield. When the most important work on the farm was done, they would travel to older settlements to earn the money for other expenses. Everything was expensive. A cow cost $50.00, an oxteam $200.00, a horse team $400.00 to $500.00 - wheat $1.50 and oats 50 cents per bushel, meat 15 cents per pound etc. Much of what a family needed to live, they had to buy. It took time before they could produce all that was needed for their own use. Neither was getting these things an easy matter for the roads to the market were long and the winters hard. Sand Hill Congregation, that was established at Neby in Vinland Township in 1872, was the first Norwegian congregation in the county. Pastor B. Hagbø of The Conference was the founder. There are now 50 Norwegian congregations and 44 churches, 21 belong to The United Church, 11 to The Norwegian Synod, 7 to Hauge's Synod, 6 to The Lutheran Free Church, 3 to the Methodists and 2 to the Baptists. The first Norwegian to hold public office in the county was John Christiansen†, he was elected Auditor in 1872. Bernhard Sampson, whose father was a Norwegian and mother of Swedish origin, was elected as a Member of the Legislature from Polk County in 1880. The Swede O. N. Nelson of Minneapolis has written about this Sampson, who built the first house in Crookston, and gives an interesting account in his book, "He saw great deal of frontier life here in the early days. It was no uncommon thing when teaming throught this region, prior to the erection of bridges, to unhitch his oxen from the wagon, jump on one of them and swim them across the stream, holding in one hand the end of a rope that was attached to his wagon, and after getting the animals on the other side, he would fasten the line to the yoke of the cattle and haul the wagon over". 'Red River Dalen' was the name of a Norwegian newspaper that started in Crookston in 1889. In 1895, it got the name 'Red River Tidende'. Later came 'Vesterheimen', 'Bud og Hilsen' and 'Arbeidsmanden', the latter in Fertile. Bethesda Hospital, Norwegian, was built in Crookston in 1898. There is also a Norwegian school (Crookston College). Places with Norwegian names in Polk County; Aldal, Espetvedt, Helgeland, Meos (Møaas), Roholt, Neby, Higdem, Tynsid (?), Brandsvold, Onstad, Johnson, Knute, Olga, Theodor, Sletten, Solie, Sheldahl, Wig, Scandia, BYgland, Rindal, Winger, Lengby and Vineland. *Johannes Bee is known for the pratical manure spreader he invented.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Pipestone County The first Norwegian in this county was Thos. Thompson from Stavanger. He settled in the vicinity of Ruthon in the 70s. The first in the vicinity of Pipestone City was Erik Larsen. The southern part was settled at about the same time as Rock County (see Rock) That the Indians were also had their shelter here here and that the whites came in contact with them is obvious, for this county lies right in the Sioux Valley, where the Sioux Indians had their headquarters and from whom the valley gets its name. That civilised people go into the wilderness battle and hunting fields to seek their homes can be interesting to hear or read about and there is much romance in it for us. But what the new settlers had to undergo, however, was anything but romantic. One can say that, actually - life in the wilderness, where they were cut off from civilisation and also had to struggle for survival, was not just play and illusion. I say that one can try to comprehend this but understand, that only those who had tried it, knew and understood how hard and sad it was. There are 7 Norwegian congregations and 3 churches in Pipestone County, 4 belonging to The United Church and 3 to The Norwegian Synod. The only Norwegian place name in the county is Ibsen.

Hi List! I have now filled in the missing counties in Minnesota, so it is alphabetically complete down to, and including, Otter Tail County. I will continue alphabetically from there - there's only about 30 left of Minnesota! You'll find them compiled at: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~maggiebakke/ulvestad.html I should add that there have been a number of corrections sent me, both on- and off-list, and these have been added to the compilation. Also some missed footnotes have been added, so you may wish to check your favorite county. If there is a missing county, it is because there was no report from it. Olaf PS: Woke up to 2" of glorious snow this morning and it continues. Pray for those poor wretches on the West (Wet) Coast!

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Norman County Norman County was settled by Norwegians in 1871. Some settled at Marsh River in the vicinity of Halstad and Shelby in the western part and some at Twin Valley in the eastern part of the county. The first, who settled at Marsh River were Engel Løvsnes†, N. R. Hage and R. R. Hage, all from the Stavanger area, they came from Newburg, Fillmore County. Right after them came L. L. Hauske, L. B. Larsen, H. Henderson, Jacob Hesby†, Jonas T. Redland and A. Thompson, all from the Stavanger area, A. O. Paulson, Sivert Paulson, Ole Paulson, Ole Halstad, John Grothe†, P. A. Paulson and Paul Olson, all from the Trondhjem area, H. L Gordon from Nummedal, Andrew Hawkins from Valders and Anders Golberg from Hallingdal. Some of these (last mentioned) came from Fillmore County, Minn., the rest from Coon Prairie, Wis. Most of them were family men and had their families with them in wagons, drawn by oxen, and they also had some livestock. It was early in the summer when they reached their future homes. But in October, the men had to travel, they had to have flour and other things to live off during the winter and to get this they had to travel all the way to Alexandria, which took them three weeks. Their first harvest (in 1872) they got little benefit from, the grasshoppers harvested it. Yes, it was not enough that these 'black birds' ate the wheat and potatoes that the people were supposed to have, they even ate the grass so that there was not much left for the livestock. The grasshoppers visited the area later also but it was only in 1872 that they stripped the land bare. (N.B. Great amounts of wheat has been produced in the Red River Valley - the world's richest wheat belt - since that time). As mentioned, the eastern part of Norman County was settled at the same time as the western. Martin Johnson from Røken parish was the first who settled here - ner Twin Valley. He came from Vernon County, Wis. Next after him came Jonas Hommelvig from Strinden, Peder Hille† from Stjørdalen, Peder Waller from Solør, Søren Bergersen from Odalen, Jens G. Urdahl from Sogn, Ole Fordal from Trondhjem, Mrs Enger from Risør and her brothers Johannes, John and Jens, as well as Nils Nilsen, Nikolai Overgaard, Gulbrand Haakonson, Ole Hansen, Andreas Hansen, Martin Johansen, Hans Aamodt, Johannes Lien and Haakon Benson. The first in the vicinity of Perley, the northwest part of the county, were Ole J. Lee from Smaalenene as well as G. J. Krosby, Johan Jacobsen and Mrs. Krogstad, with their families. Old P. O. Herreid of Twin Valley tells, "I came to America by sailship in 1857. At sea, a remarkable event occurred. An emigrant from Bergen fell overboard one day in the middle of the Atlantic. The wind was strong and the ship was making a speed of 13 miles per hour. A panic - questions about father and brother - seized everyone. However, a life ring had been thrown out and since the man was a good swimmer, he got hold of it. The ship swung about, and even though the waves were as high as the tops of the masts, the emigrant was rescued." From a pamphlet that a number of enterprising settlers had published in the vicinity of Wild Rice, we have the following anecdote: - - - In the winter the timber was cut and in the spring, the neighbours came together to help Søren Olsen build the mill (at Wild Rice). A simple flour and saw mill was begun in 1876. That the mill was very simple, and the following exclamation by Johan Mattson, a clever man, will show. When he saw the waterwheel of the sawmill he said, 'If that wheel can drive a saw, then pigs might fly!' Since the mill had to be built on the north side of the river, those who lived on the southern side had to take their wheat and flour across the river in boats. Since not everyone was used to handling a boat, there were many comical events. Once, when John Narum was going to the mill, he lost his whole load in the river. Ole Holum was also going by boat but since he did not know much about rowing he drifted down river in the stream, shouting and complaining. So, they attempted to build a bridge. Olsen obtained the material and th neighbours came to get it erected. But the next spring when the ice loosened, it was swept away as if it was made of straw. After a few years, a young miller came here, Jørgen Heiberg, the son of merchant J. Heiberg of Bergen, Norway. Olsen sold the mill to him with everything belonging to it. Mr. Heiberg was unmarried but had a very merry serving girl to look after him. One Sunday evening she went across the river to fetch the mail etc for Mr. Heiberg. Since it became late and dark, she spent the night on the other side. Early Monday morning she was to go back and Olson was going to take her across.But unfortunately someone had been there and taken the boat to the other side and Olson. Olson planned to take a canoe he had and go across for the boat, but she did not wish to wait and before Olson knew it she was also in the canoe, and the consequence was that everything fell into the river, Olson, the girl, the mail, cream and eggs. The girl held onto the canoe but all that could be seen of her was her nose and the feathers in her hat, that stuck up above the water. Many such stories from those days could be told. But this will then be enough now to show what the conditions were at that time. John Narum tells about the arrival of the grasshoppers in 1876, "In 1875, the grasshoppers had not laid eggs and we began to believe we would be free of them. And in the spring of '76, we saw nothing of them until the beginning of July, and everything looked excellent, oats barley and wheat, and we all had high hopes. One Sunday morning, probably the 9th of July, I accompanied Kristian Olson and John Grønøen, who then lived at Fossum, west over Sections 6 and 8 in Home Lake, where Mr. Grønøen wished to look at some land. After having a look, we went north to Peter Skjægrud's to rest a bit and have a chat, since we did not have many neighbours to visit at that time, as can be understood. There was beautiful, delightful sunshine and everything looked charming and happy. We got to Skjægrud's just after noon. Mrs. Skjægrud immediately began to prepare a dinner for us. When the meal was finished, we left the table, but before we sat down, Mrs. Skjægrud, who was looking out the door, exclaimed, 'But look, it is snowing!' We went out to look, and true enough, it was snowing, white, wet and thick on the fields and trees, as though it was February. And it was so thick in the sky that we could hardly find the sun. What kind of snow it was soon became very clear, for it was nothing other than the grasshoppers. And they came so thick that within an hour the the fields and pastures were completely covered with them. When, somewhat later, we left Skjægrud's, he accompanied us to see what effect the grasshopper's arrival had had. They lay so thick on the fields that we could see our footprints with every step we took. I took off my jacket, bound the sleeves, then with me holding one side and Mr. Skjægrud on the other, we ran against the wind to see how many grasshoppers we could catch. And we had not run very far before the sleeves were so full they could not hold more. So you can understand there were enough of them. And so they lay until Thursday morning when there was a brisk west wind and they began to diminish, one after another, so that within a few hours there were no more of them except a few here and there. But they had also by then done their job. The barley was completely gone, there was nothing left but an inch of stem. Of the wheat they had not taken anything but some loose leaves, the ears remained, so we had a good harvest of wheat, at least. I had 4 acres and got 80 bushels. We have not seen any grasshoppers since, at least not on the ground, and it is our hope that we never see them anymore." Marsh River Congregation, that was established at Halstad in 1872 by Pastor B. Hagbø, then belonging to The Conference, was the first Norwegian congregation in the county. The first church was built here by that congregation in 1874. Wild Rice Congregation, that was established at Fossum in 1873 by Pastor K. Bjørgo, belonging to The Norwegian Synod, was the first in the eastern part of the county. Now there are no less than 41 Norwegian congregations and 38 churches, 23 belong to The United Church, 10 to The Norwegian Synod, 5 to Hauge's Synod, 2 to the Methodists and 1 to The Evangelical Free Church. Alexander Rønning was the first Norwegian county official here. He was elected Auditor in 1880. N. L. Nelson and Sverre J. Lee were the first Norwegians to represent Norman County in the State Legislature (1894). The newspapers 'Vidnesbyrd fra Broderkredsen', Twin Valley started in 1890 and 'Folkets Blad', Ada, 1890. The Wild Rice Children's Home, Fossum, was organized in 1899. Norman County got its name from Norwegians, which is not to be wondered at, there are so many of them. Townships with Norwegian names in Norman County, Anthony, Flom, Fossum, Halstad, Hegne, Hendrum, Lee, Strand, Sundahl. Post offices; Aaby, Anthony, Flom, Folkedahl, Fossum, Halstad, Heiberg, Hegne, Hendrum, Ranum, Strand, Ringdahl, Sundahl and Ullman. Several have been closed because of the free postal delivery (R.F.D.)

www.ancestry.com Description: This database is in index created by the Minnesota Department of Health to approximately 5.2 births occurring in Minnesota between 1935 and 2002. Information contained in this index includes child's full name, father's full name, mother's maiden name, birth date, birth county, and state file number. With the information provided in this index, you may be able to obtain a copy of a birth certificate. If possible, it is important that you do this because oft times more information is provided in an original record than is provided in its index. For information on how to order a copy of a birth certificate, visit the Minnesota Department of Health website. In 1907 the Minnesota Vital Records law was enacted, giving the state the responsibility of keeping birth and death records. Their records for births start in 1900 and deaths in 1908. Both are indexed to the present but not available for research in person. There is no statewide marriage index until 1958. The fee ($11 for a birth record and $8 for a marriage or death record) will include a search and a copy of the request record or a statement that the record is not on file. Send to the Minnesota Department of Health, Section of Vital Records, P.O. Box 9441, 717 Delaware Street S.E., Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440.

Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Nobles County Ole Gunderson† and John Hoff†, both from Nummedal, as well as Hans Nelson, Hans Jansen†, Ole Petersen† and G. Gullicksen† were the first Norwegians in this county. They came from Iowa County, Wis. and settled in the vicinity of Adrian in 1872. Later in the year came T. Tengelsen†, H. Hansen†, C. Hansen, E. Hansen, H. Dahl, Gunder O. Joul (now in Minneapolis), O. Joul†, P. Osburn, Ole Garness†, H. Olsen, C. Olsen and K. Thonpson. The dug dugouts and began growing wheat and oats, their nearest marketplace was Worthington. The first Norwegian in the vicinity of Ransom was Louis Larsen from Drammen. He came there in 1874. The following account about 'Han Ola paa prærien' is claimed by the sender to be true - is a real occurrence, but it is printed with all possible reservation. "It was the first autumn. Ola had erected a log cabin for his wife and the 4 children. But he still did not have a barn for his cattle, of which he had about a half a score. He was, however, frightened by these frightful Minnesota snowstorms and it looked like all his livestock would perish, for they stood bound in an open yard. But our Ole knew the answer, he sent his family to bed and brought all the livestock into the house. He, himself, sat on a three-legged stool by the stove, which he merrily kept going until the storm was over" In Nobles County, there are 4 Norwegian churches and 6 congregations, 3 of them belong to The Lutheran free Church, 2 to The United Church and 1 to The Norwegian Synod. The well-known Captain Mons Grinager† held a public office for a time agter his return from the Civil war.