McIntosh County, North Dakota

Early Norwegian Settlement

Lars Anderson from Ringerike; Martin Lund and Nils Lund from Ringsaker; M. C. Moen, J. C. Moen, K. J. Løkken, and A. Sundby, all from Øyer, Gudbrandsdalen; Julius Ericksen from Kristiania (Oslo); and L. H. Larson were the first Norwegian settlers in McIntosh County. They settled in the vicinity of Ashley in 1884. The settlers built sod houses and began growing wheat and oats, which became the principal sources of income in the settlement. Ellendale was their nearest market, about fifty miles away, and the journey was made by ox team.

Churches and Congregations

By 1905, McIntosh County had one Norwegian congregation, belonging to the Lutheran Free Church. 

Public Office

Gilbert O. Gulaek was the first Norwegian in McIntosh County to hold public office. He served as a member of the Legislature.

Norwegian Place Names

Norwegian place names in McIntosh County included Hellwig, Norway, and Norwegian.

Sources:

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