Monona County, Iowa

Early Norwegian Settlement

Even Bakke from Toten was the first Norwegian settler in Monona County. He came from Wisconsin and settled at Albaton in 1867. Later that same year, a Norwegian settlement was founded at Soldier. The first settlers there were Elling Thoresen, Knut Thoresen, H. E. Strand, O. E. Strand, and Jens Iversen, all from Valdres.

Indians were their first neighbors. They were soon required to move to their reservation, but they continued to visit the Norwegian settlement frequently. One Indian chief developed a particular friendship with Knut Thoresen and visited him regularly. The two communicated in what the author described as a mixture of three languages: Valdres dialect, Indian, and “Yankee.” Wheat farming became the principal source of income for the Norwegian settlers. At that time, Onawa was their nearest market.

Churches and Congregations

In 1870, a congregation was established by Pastor C. Christensen of the Norwegian Synod, but it did not remain active for long. In 1879, a new congregation was established by Pastor J. A. Hellestvedt, also of the Norwegian Synod, and a church was built in 1883. By 1905, Monona County had four Norwegian congregations and three churches, all belonging to the United Church.

Public Office

Lawrence Olsen, County Recorder in Onawa, was the first Norwegian to hold political office in Monona County.

Sources:

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