Hamlin County, South Dakota

Early Norwegian Settlement

The first Norwegians in Hamlin County were the brothers Jacob Hansen and Magnus Hansen from Sør-Varanger in eastern Finnmark, together with a Mr. Anton Brønik. They came from Nebraska and settled at Lake Poinsett in 1876, two years before the county was organized. They were followed by Ole Andersen, Engebrigt Hammer, Erick Hammer, Thorsten Østensen, John Svarvari, Ole Romedahl, and Salamon Isaacson, all from Finnmark; W. H. Meisel and Theo. Olsen, both born in Wisconsin; Ole Mathisen from Røros; P. Shelsta from Sogndal; Lars Bergersen from Valdres; Ole T. Bentley from Hallingdal; as well as Jacob Brevig and Andrew Bakken. The settlers built sod houses and began growing wheat as quickly as possible. Their wheat had to be hauled by ox team to Sioux Falls, about eighty-five miles away, which was also the nearest town where they could purchase supplies. Those who worked for wages earned about fifty cents a day.

Public Office

Jacob Hansen and Magnus Hansen, together with several others, helped organize Hamlin County and were elected County Commissioners. They were therefore the first Norwegian county officials. Ole Anderson, also a Norwegian, was elected Justice of the Peace at the same time. Ole H. Førde and M. M. Karlstad were the first Norwegians to represent Hamlin County in the State Legislature, serving in 1889–1890.

Churches and Congregations

New Hope Parish was established at Øydal in 1880 by Pastor John G. Jacobsen of the Conference and was clearly the first Norwegian congregation in Hamlin County. By 1905, the county had six Norwegian congregations and five churches. The source states that one congregation belonged to the United Church, one to the Norwegian Synod, and one to Hauge’s Synod.

Norwegian Place Names

Norwegian place names in Hamlin County included Øydahl, Norden, Nora, and Thue.

Sources:

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