Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Charles Mix County Erik Odlo from Stjørdalen was the first Norwegian settler in this county. He came from one of the eastern states and settled in the vicinity of Bloomington in 1881. Next after him came John Thompson, John Mortensen, Ole Larsen, John Kaasen, John P. Langbak, Hans Mahlum, John Thromvold, Anders Bye, Ole Pedersen, Iver Arntsen and Robert Opheim, all from the Trondhjem area, as well as Ingebrigt Haugen, Paul Haugen, Ole Morken, J. E. Lien, Sr., J. E. Lien, Jr., all from Gudbrandsdalen, Lars Holter from Vækkerø near Kristiania. Peter Kjerstad from Helgeland and Knut Hammer, John Qalm (?), Gabriel Anderson, Martin Olsen and Jørgen Nilsen. They excavated dugouts and began to grow wheat that they had to drive to Scotland City, ca. 70 miles. Franke's Congregation, that was established in Bloomington in 1883, was the first Norwegian congregation here. Its first permanent priest was G. Norbeck of Hauge's Synod. The county's first - and until now only - Norwegian church was built by the aforementioned congregation in 1887. Now there are 4 Norwegian congregations, 3 belong to The United Church and 1 to Hauge's Synod. Christ Pedersen was the first county official here. The aforementioned Pastor G. Norbeck has been a member of the Legislature here.