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.