Beltrami County, Minnesota

Early Settlement

The first known Norwegian settlers in the Oakwood area were John Stenerson of Østerdalen together with H. Samuelsen, H. Kjelsrud, and Mr. Storgaard. They were among the first settlers in the area, establishing their homesteads in 1890. The first Norwegian settler in the vicinity of Bemidji was Hans Rosby, who settled there in 1894. Aksel Knudsen, Lars T. Otterstad, and the brothers Andrew and Mons Ericksen had hunted and fished in the area somewhat earlier, but they did not claim land until 1896. The first Norwegian settler at Olberg was Sam Svalesen of Stavanger, who arrived in 1896. Near Spaulding, the first Norwegian settler was Hans Knudstad, who reportedly suffered from mental illness brought on by the loneliness and hardships of frontier life. Unfortunately, several pioneers are said to have experienced a similar fate.

Relations with the Indians

The first settlers in Beltrami County also experienced periods of unrest involving the Indians. Reports of possible attacks occasionally forced families to abandon their homes.

One of the old settlers wrote that Chief Bemidji was widely respected among the settlers. He warned them of possible danger, instructed them in hunting and tracking, and extended generous hospitality to those who visited his home. Many pioneers were said to owe him a lasting debt of gratitude for his kindness and assistance.

As settlement increased, such conflicts gradually came to an end. It was noted that the Krag–Jørgensen rifle had gained official recognition and was widely used in America as well as in Norway, a fact regarded as a tribute to Norwegian industry and ingenuity.

Churches and Community Life

The first Norwegian to hold public office in Beltrami County was Jacob Nygaard, who served as sheriff. Landstad Congregation, organized at Bagley in 1900 by Pastor H. Thoresen of the United Church, was the first Norwegian congregation in the county. Its church was completed in 1903. Pastor A. K. Lockrem of the Lutheran Free Church had, however, been the first Norwegian pastor to serve the area. By 1907 Beltrami County was home to twenty-one Norwegian congregations served by six churches. Eleven congregations belonged to the United Church, seven to the Lutheran Free Church, and three to the Norwegian Synod.

The Norwegian-language newspaper Vort Nye Hjem was founded in Bemidji in 1905. It was later renamed Normannaheimen.

Norwegian Place Names

Places bearing Norwegian names included Holst, Aure, Rosby, Jette, Langor (Langaard), and Myran.

Sources:

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