Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Stearns County In the beginning of the 60s there were a couple of Norwegians, John Sandvig and his brother, who trapped in the southwest part of this county, but they were chased away by the Indians. These two we cannot consider as settlers, however, we find them again in Pope County. The first real settlers in Stearns County were Hans P. Heieie†, Ellen Baalsen†, Nils O. Strandemoen, Kittel N. Strande†, all from Flaa, Hallingdal, Ole Ruud from Aal, Hallingdal, and Østen Gubberud came together from Spring Grove and settled in the vicinity of Brooten in 1865. About the same time came John Udalen† from Winchester, Wis. He was from Tinn, Telemarken. Later in the year came Hans Kittelsen, Hans Halvorsen, Kittel Halvorson, Hans S. Skordal and Halvor Halvorsen, all from Hjertdal, Telemarken, Sivert Langum† from Arendal, J. J. Andersen† from Flaa, Hallingdal, Nils Hellicksen from Nummedal and Sivert Albertsen†, whose birthplace is unknown. The land was mainly covered with forest. As soon as they got rid of some of the forest, they began to prepare for wheat growing, which became the main source of income. Raising livestock was also of considerable importance. St. Cloud was the nearest marketplace and it was about 60 miles from the first settlers' homes. S. H. Johnson from Tinn, Telemarken was the first Norwegian in the vicinity of Belgrade. Ole O. Liabraaten, one of the oldest (and now a prosperous settler in North Fork) tells that in the first two years, he was so poor that he did not even own a pair of oxen. His trips to town - St. Cloud - he had to make on foot. Often he would meet Indian bands with their wagons or 'cars', as they called them, drawn by an ox or a skinny pony. From a long distance one could hear the din of these peculiar vehicles since 'Standard Oil' had not reached there yet. Crow River N.E.L. congregation, that was established in 1867 by Pastor V. J. Muus, then belonging to The Norwegian Synod, is the county's oldest Norwegian congregation, its church was built in 1871. Now there are 19 Norwegian congregations and 19 churches, 6 belong to The Lutheran Free Church, 5 to The Norwegian Synod, 3 to Hauge's Synod, 3 are Independent Lutheran and 2 to The United Church. It was in this county that Kittel Halvorsen had his home when he was elected to the United States Congress (in 1890). 'Nordvestens kirkelige Missionsskole' that was started in Belgrade (Stearns County) in 1900.