Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Douglas County Nels Mickelsen† from the Røraas area was the first Norwegian in Douglas County. He settled in the vicinity of Holmes City in 1865. At that time there were Indians in the neighbourhood. In 1866 many Norwegians came, of whom can be named; John Arntsen from Kobbervik, Ole Brandson† from Hedemarken, Ole Urness†, Lars Grinden† and Amos Johnson†, all from Sogn, Mathias Wolstad†, Sivert Olsen† and Hans Pedersen, all from Hedemarken, Gunder Johnson and Ole Hammer from Trondhjem, Renhard Bottner† from Solør. Petter E. Julin from Hammerfest, Ole Ellefsen from Telemarken as well as Petter Stenstrup, Tore Evensen†, Ole Amundsen†, Albert Barsness, Torsten Hovde, Gunder Knudsen, Jens Gundersen†, Charley Brown†, Karm Øen, Ole Pedersen and Johannes Olesen. Some dug dugouts, others built log cabins, all were poor. Nor was work to be found in the area, but thos who had oxen and wagons went to St. Cloud, where there was the opportunity to carry goods west to the forts (where soldiers were stationed against the Indians). The settlers who did not have the means for this transport, supported themselves mainly with trapping muskrats, of which there were many, and a good price was paid. My informant adds that if there had not been something to trap, it would have been impossible for the new settlers to manage. Now it is different. Wheat has made people prosperous. Another of the old settlers in Douglas county writes, "I emigrated in 1854 on the sailship 'Urania' from Stavanger and was 11 weeks on the sea. When we came to Montreal, the cholera began to rage. About half of our company died on the way to Chicago. We were 203 persons in all - the greater number from Strand and Fister parishes and islands in Ryfylke. I especially remember a family from Monstrevaag. The man's name was Peder Knudsen Rygmyre, as far as I can remember. At 4 o'clock in the afternoon all were healthy, by 9 in the evening, his wife and three eldest children were dead, and now the man remained alone with a child that was only 8 months old. But then I had to weep with him even though at that time I was just a youth. The trip from Montreal to Chicago will never be forgotten by those who survived it." A third writes, "When we came here to Evansville, there were not many white people here, however many Indians. I was with them now and then and saw them eat muskrats. Now the Indians are gone, game and fish similarly - and the land has changed - yes, and it seems even the climate is different from what it was in the old days." Vor Frelsers Congregation, that was established at Holmes City in 1867 by Pastor L. A. Carlson, belonging to The Norwegian Synod, was the first Norwegian congregation in the county. The first church was built in 1877 by Moe Congregation, belonging to The Synod. Now there are 12 congregations and 11 churches, 7 belong to The United Church, 3 to The Norwegian Synod and 2 to The Lutheran Free Church. The first Norwegian to hold public office here was Thorer Evensen, who was elected Co. Commissioner in 1871. The current Senator Knute Nelson was the first Norwegian who represented Douglas Co. in the State Legislature (in 1875). For detailed information in the politicl field see the section, 'Norwegians in public positions in America. Townships with Norwegian names; Lund, Moe, Solem, Brandon and Urness. Post offices with Norwegian names; Melby, Moe, Urness and Brandon. Wartburg Mission School was started in Alexandria in 1901.