Bayfield County, Wisconsin

Early Norwegian Settlement

The first Norwegians in Bayfield County were Lars Rud from Hattfjelldal, Martin Moe from Trondheim, and Tom Matson from Voss. They settled in the vicinity of Mason in 1881.

Pioneer Life in the Northern Forests

The hardships faced by the pioneers in the forests of northern Wisconsin are easier to imagine than to describe. There was considerable wealth in the forests, however, and timber speculators therefore tried to discourage settlers from entering the area. These lumber interests had hired representatives near the unsettled lands. When prospective settlers arrived, they were warned with all kinds of frightening stories. Because newcomers were often regarded as greenhorns who could be persuaded to believe almost anything, such stories circulated widely.

Churches and Congregations

The first Norwegian congregation was established at Washburn in the mid-1880s. This Lutheran congregation also built the first Norwegian church in Bayfield County. Its first pastor was J. H. Grøtheim of the Conference. Bayfield County had ten Norwegian congregations and six churches. Five congregations belonged to the Lutheran Free Church, four to the United Church, and one to the Methodist Church.

Public Office

Gunnar Dalby of Mason was the first Norwegian county official. He was elected in 1883.

Norwegian Place Names

Engoe Post Office was the only place in Bayfield County with a Norwegian name.

Sources:

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