Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Yankton County Christian Pedersen Marindahl from Ringsaker is given as the first Norwegian settler in this county. He settled at a place that now bears his name (Marindahl) in 1860. The Indians were his neighbours there for a time. Next after Christian Pedersen came Ole Pedersen, M. J. Minde, John J. Aalseth, C. H. Brurud, Frans Shager, Gulbrand Levorson, Haldor Bryngelsen Løen, Lars Olsen, Simon Petersen, Torger Nelson, T. Aalseth, Mathias Larsen, Peder Einarsen and Torbjørn Torbjørnsen. They were also sort of soldiers against the Indians. They received carbines and saddles from the government. The first Norwegian immigration to Yankton County went from and through the neighbouring Clay County, where a longer account is given. But here in Yankton County we find South Dakota's first Norwegian church. It was built by Vangen Congregation at Mission Hill in 1869. For information about this (Vangen) congregation's origin and staffing, see Clay County. Now there are 11 Norwegian congregations and 9 churches in Yankton County, 3 belong to The Norwegian Synod, 3 to The United Church, 3 to Hauge's Synod and 2 to Independent Lutheran. In the section 'Norwegians in public positions in America' can be found more information - from Yankton County also. Townships and post offices with Norwegian names: Brudvig, Marindahl, Hansen and Norway.