Muskegon County, Michigan

Early Norwegian Settlement

The first permanent Norwegian settlement in Michigan was established in the vicinity of Muskegon City in 1848. Østen Andersen from Ulefoss near Skien and Lars Larsen from Arendal were the first Norwegians to settle there. The settlement never became particularly large, and the Norwegian population remained scattered throughout the county.

Churches and Congregations

The Lutheran congregation in Muskegon was established in 1861 by Pastor O. J. Hatlestad of the Augustana Synod and was the first Norwegian congregation in Muskegon County. Its church was built in 1865. According to the author, this was the first Norwegian church not only in Muskegon County but in the state of Michigan. The state’s first Norwegian congregation, however, was located in Oceana County. By 1905, Muskegon County had seven Norwegian congregations and seven churches. Two congregations belonged to the United Church, one to the Norwegian Synod, one to Hauge’s Synod, one to the Evangelical Free Church, one to the Methodist Church, and one to the Baptist Church.

Public Office

Ole C. Olsen from Hedmark was the first Norwegian to hold public office in Muskegon County.

Sources:

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