Douglas County, Washington

Early Norwegian Settlement

The first Norwegian settler in Douglas County was Ole Rud from Ringerike. He came from Iowa and settled at Waterville in 1884. He was followed by Chr. Okland from Tysnes and Haldor and Sam Anderson from Os, although the source does not specify which place named Os they came from. The settlers began with mixed farming. At the time, their nearest marketplace was Spokane, approximately 150 miles away.

Quincy Settlement

By 1905, a small Norwegian settlement had developed in the vicinity of Quincy. The first Norwegian settlers there were the Ingebrigtsen brothers and a Mr. Odingaard, who arrived in 1901.

Public Office

Ole Rud later served as County Surveyor.

Sources:

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