Eddy County, North Dakota

Early Norwegian Settlement

Sveinung Aslaksen and Neri Bitubek, both from Rauland, Telemark, were the first Norwegian settlers in Eddy County. They came from Nelson County, North Dakota, and settled in the vicinity of Sheyenne in 1883. They were followed by Ole Hendricksen from Hallingdal, Ole Rue from Vinje, and S. M. Nelson from Rauland, Telemark. As in many other new settlements, the pioneers initially lived in dugouts. Wheat growing became the principal source of income in the area.

The settlement was known as Jøtunheimen.

Churches and Congregations

Sheyenne Norwegian Lutheran Congregation was established by Pastor O. C. Grønvold of the Anti-Missouri Brotherhood and was the first Norwegian congregation in Eddy County. The first Norwegian church in the county was built at Greenfield in 1900. By 1905, Eddy County had five Norwegian congregations and two churches. Two congregations belonged to the United Church, two to the Lutheran Free Church, and one to the Norwegian Synod.

Public Office

Ole Henricksen of Sheyenne was the first Norwegian to hold public office in Eddy County. He was elected Commissioner in 1886.

Norwegian Place Names

The county included the small town of Hamar, bearing a distinctly Norwegian name.

Sources:

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