Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Grant County Ole Gudmunsen from Støtvig, Smaalenene and Peder Gran from Vestre Toten were the first Norwegians in Grant County, they came from Houston County by ox and wagon and settled at Elk Lake Township in 1865. The first in the vicinity of Erdahl were A. Hansen from Kristiania, Lars† and Elland† Anderson from Eidsvold and Jacob Olsen from Valders, who settled there in 1866. The first in Asby was Knut Melby, who settled there in 1867. A part of Ashby was built on his land.* In the fall of the same year came John P. Sætre from Numedal, who settled nearby. Ole E. Lien from Hemsedal settled in the vicinity of Barrett the same year (1867) and was thus, the first there. Knut Laastuen from Hallingdal was the first at Elbow Lake. And Ole Torstensen from Hadeland was the first at Hoffman. The first in the vicinity of Aastad were Hans Haavig, Tørris Hansen†, Knut Hansen†, Gunder Ericksen†, R. G. Baasen, K. P. Eidal and Jens E. Pletan. Ole O. Hillestad from Lærdal was the first at Norcross. Wheat growing became the county's leading source of income. Besides, the first settlers did much hunting and trapping. Day pay at that time was 50 cents. That the Indians terrified people in this as well as the adjacent counties is obvious. Once, there came a rumour that the Indians were on the warpath. Everyone took their oxen and fled from their homes and went toward Alexandria. But on the way they learned that the rumour was false, so they returned to their daily duties. This was before there were any soldiers stationed at Pomme de Terre Fort. Pomme de Terre Congregation, that was established in 1869 by Pastor L. Carlson, belonging to The Norwegian Synod, was the first Norwegian congregation in the county. Now there are 12 Norwegian congregations and 8 churches, 6 belong to The Norwegian Synod, 3 to The United Church, 1 to Hauge's Synod, 1 is Independent Lutheran and 1 belongs to the Methodists. The first Norwegian county officials were Wendelbo Olson†, Ole Larson Sundvold†, Ole Thompson Ring, S. Frogner† and K. R. O. Melby. They were all elected in 1873. Gilbert Hagen published the newspaper 'Samhold' in Elbow Lake in the 90s. Places with Norwegian names; Erdahl and Lien Townships, Fridheim, Erdahl, Pikop, Thorsborg, Ramstad, Lillemon and Aastad post offices. *Another part of Ashby stretches over Simon Larsen's land. When he came here, he had everything he owned in a gunny sack. It would be much harder for anyone to carry everything he owns now. And the gunny sack would be far too small.