Door County, Wisconsin

Early Norwegian Settlement

The first Norwegian settlement in Door County was established in the vicinity of Ephraim during the 1850s. Ole Larson from Skien was the first settler, but Pastor A. M. Iversen from Kristiansand was the actual founder of the colony. For more detailed information, see the article under Milwaukee County.

The Hainesville Settlement

The settlement in the vicinity of Hainesville was founded by Tallak Tellefsen Haines, Lars T. Eeg, Halvor Tilstad, Søren Anderson, and Elias, Ole, and Jens Halvorsen, all from Bamble; Knud Knudsen from Larvik; and several others whose names were written so illegibly that the author was unable to read them.

Washington Harbor

Captain Goodlet Goodletsen from Holt Parish was the first Norwegian settler at Washington Harbor. He settled there in 1866.

The Forest Fire of 1871

In 1871, the Hainesville settlement was almost destroyed by a forest fire. The fire approached from the south, driven by a powerful wind. Many charred bodies were found in the areas through which the fire passed. Fortunately, the wind changed direction when the fire reached the Norwegian settlement. Tallak Tellefsen Haines and his family escaped only narrowly.

Pioneer Life

The first settlers in Door County supported themselves through logging, fishing, and hunting. As in many other pioneer settlements, the newcomers lived under difficult economic conditions. There was enough work available, but a man could earn no more than fifty cents a day.

Churches and Congregations

The Moravian Brethren, who established a congregation and built a church in the late 1850s, formed the oldest Norwegian congregation in the county. The first Norwegian Lutheran congregation was established at Vignes in 1872 by Pastor L. M. Biørn, then of the Norwegian Synod. The first Norwegian Lutheran church was built by this congregation, known as the Tanum Congregation, in 1883. Door County had twelve Norwegian congregations and thirteen churches. Eight congregations belonged to the United Church and four to the Moravian Brethren. In addition, there was a congregation belonging to the "Missionvennerne" and one belonging to the Quakers, both of which were partly Norwegian.

Public Office

Eli Thompson of Sturgeon Bay was the first Norwegian to hold a public position in Door County.

Norwegian Place Names

Norwegian place names in Door County included Fagerwick, Kolberg, Vignes, and Hainesville. Hainesville was named after the Norwegian pioneer Tallak Tellefsen Haines, mentioned above.

Sources:

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