Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Buffalo County Hans N. Cleven, Nels N. Cleven, O. N. Cleven and Ole O. Grovom, all from Nissedal, Telemarken and Ole Evensen from Store-Ness (?) were the first settlers in this county. They came from Winnebago Co., Iowa and settled in thr vicinity of Richards in 1883. Next after them came O. H. Johnson from Bø, Telemarken, Lars Rasmussen† from Molde, Anne Halstad† from Odalen, P. J. Nordli and Nikolai Gjøstad from Tromsø, Olaus Storemo from Trondhjem, Erick Evensen† from Valders as well as Even Evensen, C. A. Osman, H. T. Johnson, Alik Anderson, George Jacobs and Christ Jacobs†. Wheat and flax became the settlers' main source of income. Bee Heights, 25 miles away, was the nearest marketplace. "It was in the summer of 1873 that I had my first experience with the Siouz Indians," tells the Hon. H. N. Cleven, "since on my trips to and from the city I had to cross the Reservation, I came to know a large number of them. I recall once, they had been out picking turnips (woman's work) and had their camp nearby, I spent the night with them. In the evening when it was time to sleep an Indian known as Pretty Lightning came and made sign to me that I should follow him, which I did. He led me to an old log cabin in which there was a sort of bed and after he had indicated that I should lie down there, he went out and locked the door behind him. This looked somewhat suspicious but in the morning I learned the reason, he told me that he locked me in so I could not steal and run off with their horses during the night. Another time I saw 8 Indian women driving before them a white man with hands tied behind him. I drove up and asked why they did that. Then they told me that he was a deserter and they would get $20.00 for bringing him to the nearby Ft. Hale, which was the military staion then." In 1883, a Norwegian congregation was established at Dunlap by Pastor A. J. Lee, belonging to The Norwegian Synod. Hauge's Synod as well as The United Church and Free Church have carried out mission activity there since. Even Evensen, who was elected Commissioner in 1885, was the first Norwegian official in this county. Hans N. Cleven was the first Norwegian that represented Buffalo County in the State legislature, elected 1890.