Alpena County, Michigan

Early Norwegian Settlement

Isak Isaksen, a former sea captain from Egersund, was the first Norwegian settler in Alpena County. He came to Alpena City in 1861, when the settlement consisted of only sixteen fishermen’s cabins and a sawmill. Isaksen took up fishing there and continued in that occupation until his death in 1896. Before settling in Michigan, he had spent thirty-six years sailing the Atlantic. The next Norwegian settlers were Christ Hammer from Lillehammer; Ole Wilson from Valdres; and Gilbert Olsen, Erik Olsen, and Otter Olsen from Lier near Drammen.

The Lier Settlement

Bernhard Enger from Lier was the first Norwegian settler in the Lier settlement, not far from Alpena City. The settlement’s principal products for sale were potatoes, milk, butter, and eggs.

Churches and Congregations

By 1905, Alpena County had three Norwegian congregations and two churches, all belonging to the United Church. 

Public Office

Otto Gjørud from Ringerike had served as a magistrate in Alpena City.

Norwegian Place Names

The Lier settlement had a post office named Leer (Lier).

Sources:

[Ulvestad, Martin. Nordmændene i Amerika. Utg. History Book Company's Forlag. Minneapolis, Minn. 1907.]