Grant County, Minnesota

Early Norwegian Settlement

Ole Gudmunsen from Støtvig, Smaalenene (Østfold), and Peder Gran from Vestre Toten were the first Norwegians in Grant County. They came from Houston County by ox team and wagon and settled in Elk Lake Township in 1865.

The first Norwegians in the vicinity of Erdahl were A. Hansen from Kristiania, Lars Anderson and Elland Anderson from Eidsvold, and Jacob Olsen from Valders. They settled there in 1866.

Knut Melby was the first Norwegian settler in Ashby, where he settled in 1867. Part of Ashby was built on his land. Another part of Ashby extended across Simon Larsen’s land. When he arrived, everything he owned could be carried in a gunny sack. In the fall of 1867, John P. Sætre from Numedal arrived and settled nearby.

Ole E. Lien from Hemsedal settled in the vicinity of Barrett in 1867 and was therefore the first Norwegian settler there.

Knut Laastuen from Hallingdal was the first Norwegian settler at Elbow Lake, and Ole Torstensen from Hadeland was the first at Hoffman.

The first Norwegians in the vicinity of Aastad were Hans Haavig, Tørris Hansen, Knut Hansen, Gunder Ericksen, R. G. Baasen, K. P. Eidal, and Jens E. Pletan.

Ole O. Hillestad from Lærdal was the first Norwegian settler at Norcross.

Pioneer Life

Wheat growing became the county’s principal source of income. The first settlers also devoted considerable time to hunting and trapping. Daily wages at that time were fifty cents.

The Indians caused fear among the settlers in Grant County as well as in the neighboring counties. On one occasion, rumors spread that the Indians were on the warpath. Everyone took their oxen, abandoned their homes, and headed toward Alexandria. Along the way, however, they learned that the report was false, and they returned to their daily duties.

This occurred before soldiers were stationed at Fort Pomme de Terre.

Churches and Congregations

The Pomme de Terre Congregation, established in 1869 by Pastor L. Carlson of the Norwegian Synod, was the first Norwegian congregation in the county.

At the time this account was written, there were twelve Norwegian congregations and eight churches in Grant County. Six congregations belonged to the Norwegian Synod, three to the United Church, one to Hauge’s Synod, one was Independent Lutheran, and one belonged to the Methodist Church.

Public Office and Newspapers

The first Norwegian county officials were Wendelbo Olson, Ole Larson Sundvold, Ole Thompson Ring, S. Frogner, and K. R. O. Melby. They were all elected in 1873.

During the 1890s, Gilbert Hagen published the newspaper Samhold in Elbow Lake.

Norwegian Place Names

Places with Norwegian names included Erdahl and Lien Townships and the post offices of Fridheim, Erdahl, Pikop, Thorsborg, Ramstad, Lillemon, and Aastad.

Sources:

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