Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Wahkiakum County John Ericksen† from Stavanger was the first Norwegian settler in this county. He came from California and settled at Skamokawa in 1863. He supported himself through fishing and farming as do those who came after him. However, there are not many Norwegians here. The first in the little Norwegian settlement at Cathamlet was John P. Rassa from Sand near Stavanger. he settled there as a fisher and farmer in 1874. At that time there were only Indians and Americans in this region. The Trønder Ole Svorkmo was the first Norwegian to hold public office in the county. He was elected Commissioner in 1890. Pastor P. Steen of the Augsburg's Friends established a congregation on Puget Island in the middle of the 90s. This was the first in the county. It also built a church. Now there are 6 Norwegian congregations in Wahkiakum County of which 3 belong to The Norwegian Synod and 2 to The Lutheran Free Church.