Clearwater County, Minnesota

Early Settlement

P. O. Enneberg of Sigdal parish was the first known Norwegian settler in Clearwater County. He came from Fertile, Minnesota, and claimed land at Willborg in 1883, accompanied by Nils Berg. Later that year he was joined by Tor Klevstad, Christ Stenerson, Andrew Stenerson, Peder Berg, Andreas Morstad, and Mr. Rode.

Potato farming and logging provided the principal means of livelihood for the early settlers. Their nearest market was Crookston, sixty-five miles away. Enneberg recalled that his first journey there took an entire month. In several places he had to cut a path through the forest, and at two rivers he built temporary bridges so that his wagon could cross. One of the bridges collapsed under the weight of the load, sending both horses and driver into the icy water. Fortunately, most of the cargo was recovered along the riverbank.

On another occasion, rumors spread that the Indians had gathered for a war dance and that the settlers living nearest the reservation would be the first to be attacked. The reports caused considerable anxiety, especially among the women and children. Before anything happened, however, a company of soldiers arrived to protect the settlement. According to Enneberg, the Indians generally lived peacefully with their neighbors, except when whiskey found its way among them.

Churches and Community Life

Clearwater Congregation, organized at Shevlin in 1895 by Pastor J. R. Vaaler of the Norwegian Synod, was the first Norwegian congregation in the county.

By about 1907, Clearwater County was home to thirteen Norwegian congregations served by eight churches. Five congregations belonged to the Lutheran Free Church, four to the Norwegian Synod, and four to the United Church.

Most of the county officials who took office when the county government was organized in 1902 were of Norwegian descent.

Post offices bearing Norwegian names included Olberg, Holst, and Gonwick (Gonvik).

Sources:

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