Kanabec County, Minnesota

Early Norwegian Settlement

The first, or at least one of the first, Norwegians in Kanabec County was H. E. Sjøbøen from Os parish near Bergen. He moved from Winneshiek County, Iowa, to the vicinity of Mora in 1898.

At that time, there were many Indians in the area and few white settlers. The Norwegians were primarily engaged in mixed farming.

In the vicinity of Lewis Lake, the first Norwegian settlers were Ole Langlie, P. Langlie, S. Huser, H. Olsen, A. J. Hansen, H. Hansen, A. E. Mehl, and P. Stark.

Public Office

The aforementioned H. E. Sjøbøen was the first Norwegian to hold public office in the county. He was elected County Commissioner in 1900.

Churches and Congregations

Hauge’s Synod, the Norwegian Synod, and the Lutheran Free Church each had one congregation in the county.

Sources:

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