Gogebic County, Michigan

Early Norwegian Settlement

John Bjørnsen and Ole Sjelle, both from Gudbrandsdalen, were the first Norwegian settlers in Gogebic County. They came from Wisconsin and settled at Bessemer in 1885. A short time later came B. O. Lund from Solør; Cornelius Hansen and Mr. Richardsen from Bergen; B. O. Rosendal from Kristiansand; Torsten Eggen from Hommelvik near Trondheim; and John Backen, Amund Johnson, and Simon Akre, all from Gudbrandsdalen. Simon Akre lived in Ironwood, while the others who were still living remained in Bessemer. Mining was the county’s principal source of income, although the Norwegians mentioned above were employed mainly in the towns rather than directly in mining.

Churches and Congregations

There was one Norwegian congregation in Gogebic County, belonging to the Lutheran Free Church.

Public Office

Torsten Eggen, mentioned above, had served as a city magistrate in Bessemer.

Sources:

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