Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Sweet Grass County Henry Ellingsen from Byneset near Trondhjem was the first Norwegian in this county. He settled at Melville in 1881. O. L. Clausen came the same year. Next after them came O. P. Fallang, B. Forsyth and J. Gundersen. J. L. Rapstad was the first, or at least one of the first in Big Timber. As far as is known, Sam Solberg and O. C. Christensen were the first in Howie. The Indians were the lords of this region before the Norwegians came. Livestock raising was the most important source of income here. The first Norwegian congregation in this county was established at Melville in 1884 by Pastor P. J. Reinertsen, belonging to The Augustana Synod. There are now two Norweguian congregations in the county, both belonging to The United Church. (This shows that the aforementioned congregation was the first - not only in this county, but for the whole State) O. A. Fallang, Sheriff, was the first Norwegian to hold public office in Sweet Water County. For more detiled informations see the section, 'Norwegians in public positionson America'