Jerauld County, South Dakota

Early Norwegian Settlement

Christian A. Solberg, Ole C. Solberg, Rasmus C. Solberg, and A. C. Solberg, together with Ole Sørime, John Sime, and Gilbert Sime, all from Nordfjord, were the first Norwegian settlers in Jerauld County. They came from Crawford County, Wisconsin, and settled at Lane in 1881. They were followed by A. J. Moldrem, A. J. Solberg, Lars Veum, O. O. Lendbak, O. Nessen, L. Larson, P. Rotey, S. Endahl, B. Lillehaug, C. Bjelland, E. Starkey, K. Starkey, and E. Knudsen. Most, if not all, were also from Nordfjord. Wheat farming became the settlement’s principal source of income, while cattle raising and flax cultivation were also important. Mitchell, between thirty and forty miles away, was the nearest market for the first settlers. During the early years, oxen were used exclusively for both transportation and plowing.

An Early Pioneer Woman

One of the oldest Norwegian pioneer women lived at Wessington, at least until shortly before this account was written (about 1905). Her name was Mrs. Martha R. Thorson, and according to reports she had then lived in America for more than seventy years.

Churches and Congregations

There was one Norwegian Synod congregation in Jerauld County, with its own church.

Sources:

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