Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Lawrence County The first Norwegian settler in this county was Ole Green from Værdalen. He settled as a farmer and prospector at Rockford in 1878. He writes, "We were 10 Norwegians who traveled in a horse train of 40 wagons from Bismarck, N.D. We wished to go to the Black Hills to seek gold but our path was not so long. After 18 days we reached the place where Deadwood City now lies. When we got there we met two other Norwegians, Ulrik Ekkelo from Værdalen and a Mr. Petersen, who was also from the Trondhjem area, they had just arrived there from Yankton. They were thus the very first Norwegians who visited the wilderness out west. We went in various directions but the gold was difficult to find. Most became disheartened and went back. Now it is only Sefanias Ekkelo and me who live in this area." The first permanent Norwegians in Lead City were, where nearby there are many mines, were M. L. Magnussen, Ole Danielsen, Nels Brække and Andrew Langtwaet. They and probably several other countrymen have held foreman positions there. There are three Norwegian congregations in this county, all belonging to Hauge's Synod, and there is one Norwegian church. Nasby (Næsby) post office has probably gotten its name from the Norwegians. At that place we also have a countryman, J. Petersen, who has represented his county in the State Legislature.