Lawrence County, South Dakota

Early Norwegian Settlement

The first Norwegian settler in Lawrence County was Ole Green from Verdal. He settled at Rockford in 1878 as a farmer and prospector. Green later recalled that he was one of ten Norwegians who traveled from Bismarck, North Dakota, in a horse-drawn wagon train consisting of forty wagons. Their intention was to reach the Black Hills and search for gold. After eighteen days, they arrived at the place where Deadwood later developed. There they met two other Norwegians, Ulrik Ekkelo from Verdal and a Mr. Petersen, also from the Trondheim area, who had recently arrived from Yankton. Green regarded these men as among the very first Norwegians to enter the western wilderness. The prospectors then scattered in different directions, but gold proved difficult to find. Most became discouraged and eventually left. By the time Green wrote his account (ca. 1905), only Sefanias Ekkelo and Green himself were still living in the area.

Lead City

The first permanent Norwegian settlers in Lead City, where numerous mines operated nearby, were M. L. Magnussen, Ole Danielsen, Nels Brække, and Andrew Langtwaet. They, and probably several other Norwegians, held foreman positions in the mining industry. 

Churches and Congregations

By 1905, Lawrence County had three Norwegian congregations, all belonging to Hauge’s Synod, and one Norwegian church. 

Norwegian Place Names and Public Office

Nasby (Næsby) Post Office probably received its name from Norwegians. J. Petersen, a Norwegian resident of that area, represented Lawrence County in the State Legislature.

Sources:

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