Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Union County The first Norwegian in this county was Peder Pedersen† from Sogn. He settled at Richland in the beginning of the 60s. Next after him came C. Larsen Haagen from Trondhjem, Lars Johannessen Rud from Gudbrandsdalen and K. P. Rønne from Røraas. However, the first Norwegian settlements in Union and Clay Counties are connected so closely one cannot separate them in an historical account. See Clay County. In the northern part of Union County, Erik Rønning, was the first. People lived in dugouts in the first years. The nearest marketplace was Sioux City, ca. 40 miles away. But they had little to sell the first years since the grasshoppers destroyed their crops, especially the wheat. It was quite hard for the newcomers to survive. Brule Creek Congregtion of The Norwegian Synod was the first in this area. (Further information about it under Clay County). Now there are 8 Norwegian congregations and 6 churches in this (Union) county, 3 belong to The United Church, 3 to The Norwegian Synod and 2 to Hauge's Synod. Civil War veteran Gilbert Larsen was the first Norwegian to hold public office in Union County. He was elecetd County Commissioner in 1872. South Dakota's first Secretary of State, the Norwegian A. O. Ringsrud is also from here. Bethesda Children's Home, belonging to Hauge's Synod was erected at Beresford in 1897. Post offices with Norwegian names: Alsen and Nora.