Lafayette County, Wisconsin

Early Norwegian Settlement

Peder Davidsen Skjervheim from Hardanger, together with Sjur Sjursen Ulvund and Peder Iversen Undi from Voss, were the first Norwegian settlers in Lafayette County. They came from Chicago and settled in the vicinity of Wiota in 1841. They were followed by Ole Undi from Voss, Thore Thompson from Tindal, and Ashley Gundersen from Numedal. Among the very earliest settlers was also a Mr. Knut Knutsen.

Pioneer Life and Farming

The settlers established themselves in forested land, built log cabins, and began clearing and preparing the soil for farming. Wheat became the settlement’s principal source of income. At first, Milwaukee and Chicago were their nearest markets, and the settlers had to travel there by ox team and wagons with log rollers. For cutting fence posts and ordinary labor, workers were paid fifty cents a day. Harvest work paid seventy-five cents a day. The author remarked that if such wages were offered in his own time, everyone would go on strike.

Mrs. Martin Johnson’s Account

Mrs. Martin Johnson of South Wayne provided an abbreviated account of the first settlers in the area. Her father, Peder Davidsen Skjervheim from Hardanger, emigrated to America in 1837 together with his married sister and her family. They settled in Chicago, where Peder, who was unmarried, found work. Mrs. Johnson’s mother was born in Vang Parish in the Diocese of Bergen. Her maiden name was Marthe Thorstensdatter. She and her sisters, together with their families, came to Chicago the following year. In 1841, Sjur Ulvund, Peder Undi, and Peder Davidsen Skjervheim came to Wisconsin, claimed land, and built their log cabins. They then returned to Chicago by ox team. Sjur Ulvund and Peder Undi went to bring their families, while Peder Skjervheim went to bring a bride. He was married by Pastor Clausen. The settlers then made the same long journey back to their farms in Wisconsin by ox team.

Disease and Poverty

There was much sickness in the new settlement, with malaria being the worst. There was also considerable poverty. Farm products brought low prices, while the goods the settlers needed to buy were expensive. When they hauled their products to Milwaukee or Chicago, they received about fifty cents for a bushel of wheat and three cents for a pound of meat.

Cholera in Chicago

In 1850, Peder Davidsen Skjervheim traveled to Chicago to meet two of his brothers, who had recently arrived from Norway with their families. Cholera was then present in Chicago. When he arrived, some members of the family were already ill and others had died. Peder shared their fate. They died and were buried in the area where Lincoln Park was later located. Only two small boys survived. Mrs. Johnson’s mother did not learn of her husband’s death until many weeks later. She later married Ole Monsen from Torpen in Land Parish. He had lost his wife and three children during their journey and had also been left alone.

Later Conditions

Conditions gradually improved in this settlement, as they did elsewhere. 

Churches and Congregations

By 1905, Lafayette County had ten Norwegian congregations and eight churches. Seven congregations belonged to the United Church, two to the Lutheran Free Church, and one to the Norwegian Synod.

Sources:

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