Chickasaw County, Iowa

Norwegian Settlement

The first Norwegians in the vicinity of Saude, where an old Norwegian settlement developed, were John Landsverk from Tuddal and John Svennungson from Sauherad, Telemark. They settled there in 1854.

Churches and Congregations

Little Turkey Congregation was established in 1854 by Pastor V. Koren of the Norwegian Synod and was the first Norwegian congregation in the county. Its church was built in 1859. By 1905, Chickasaw County had four Norwegian congregations and four churches. Two congregations belonged to the Norwegian Synod and two to the United Church.

Public Office

Paul Brorby was the first Norwegian to hold public office in the county. He was elected Clerk of Court in 1894.

Norwegian Place Names

Post offices with Norwegian names included Saude and Nansen.

Sources:

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