Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Brown County The first settlers in Brown County were Ole and V. Everson from Sogn. They settled in the vicinity of Columbia but the year is unknown to the author. The Norwegian settlement in the vicinity of Bath was founded a short time after - in 1880. The first there were Ole K. Hunstad† and his sons Edward and Nils, as well as Jens Swarstad† and Embret Bunsness†, all from Ringerike. Next after them came C. O. Petersen from Kristiania, John Vaaler from Nedre Telemarken, E. S. Nelson from Nummedal, H. D. Docken† from Valders as well as Andrew Thorson and many others. They dug in dugouts and began growing wheat and other types of grain. In praise of the Norwegian-American priests it must be said that as a rule they did not become rich. Nor were the pioneer priests exposed to temptations of that sort. Very often they received their pay 'in natura' for there was not much money among the people - yes, and at times there was little food also. "As proof that the priests also suffered the new settlers' needy condition, I will give you an example," says one of my informants, "one day when I took some meat to the priest's family, the priest himself stood and washed clothes while his wife lay in bed. On asking if she was sick, he gave me an evasive answer. Finally, the secret came out - it was his wife's dress he was washing and since it was the only one she had, she had to go to bed until it was dry. Those girls who had dreamed of how fine it would be to be priest's wives, had often made a mistake. But, naturally, conditions are better now." Skandinavia Congregation, that was founded at Bath in 1881 and that for a time belonged to The Norwegian Synod, was the first Norwegian congregation in Brown County. The first Norwegian church was built at Aberdeen in 1893 by the congregation there, also of The Norwegian Synod. Now there are altogether 10 Norwegian congregations and 4 churches, 8 belong to The United Church, 1 to Hauge's Synod and 1 to the Baptists. John A. Fylpaa and John Vaaler, who were elected in 1880, the former as Treasurer and the latter as Commissioner, were the first Norwegian county officials. Until now, Erick G. Nelson is the only Norwegian who has represented Brown County in the State Legislature, elected 1894. There is a Township by the name Hanson in this county.