Translated from 'Nordmændene i Amerika' by Martin Ulvestad. 1907. Rock County Bendik Evensen (Evans) from Valders and Ole Steen, his name given to the Steen P.O., were the first Norwegians in this county. The settled in Clinton Township (in the vicinity of Steen) in 1870. In Martin Township (vicinity of Hills), Nils Anderson, Anders Anderson† and Joseph Jacobsen were the first, they settled her in 1871. They were all from Helgeland. In 1870, Ole Nilssen claimed land at Luverne but he did not settle there until 1872. The first real settlers here were T. O. Opsata and Ole Hage from Hallingdal, who settled here in 1871. T. O. Tollefsen, Sevat Anderson and Ole Guldhagen, all from Hallingdal, were the first in the vicinity of Hardwick, they settled there in 1871. Anton Larsen from Nittedal was also one of the first settlers there. In his time went by land from Iowa to California by oxen, and was several times attacked by Indians. But he escaped with his life and was one of the luckier gold-seekers. He is now over 80 years old. Blue Mountain Congregation at Luverne was established in 1872 by Pastor Hans Z. Hvid, belonging to The Conference. At tha same time the Rock River Congregation, 14 miles southwest of Luverne, was established by Pastor E. Olson, belonging to The Norwegian Synod. These were thus, the first congregations. The first Norwegian church was built by the aforementioned Blue Mountain Congregation in 1875. Now there are 11 Norwegian congregations and 8 churches, 5 of them belong to The United Church, 5 to The Norwegian Synod and 1 to The Lutheran Free Church. The first Norwegian to hold public office in the county was J. O. Helgesen, he was elected Court Clerk in 1874. Norwegian place names; Kongsberg and Steen.