Nelson County, North Dakota

Early Norwegian Settlement

The first Norwegian settlement in Nelson County was established in the vicinity of Lee, Ottosy, and Bue in 1880. The first settlers were Kittel Olsen, Hans Olsen, Andrew Olsen, Ole Olsen, Torger Mikkelsen, and Halvor Knudsen, all from Telemark; Ole Gross from Hallingdal; and Mrs. Britte Stenne, whose birthplace is unknown. They were followed by Lars O. Bue from Strilelandet; Tore Halvorsen and Stengrim Halvorsen from Gol, Hallingdal; Helge Rud and Elling Fjeld from Sigdal; Tron Alstad and Nils Hagen from Kristiansund; John Nereby from Land parish; Bernt Opeien from Trøndelag; Halvor Johnson from Telemark; Peder Enestad from Gudbrandsdalen; Ole Førde and Nels Førde from Evanger, Voss; Kristoffer Fladstrand from Numedal; Roar Andersen Velvatne and Erik Hansen from Stord; Gabriel Paulson; and others.

Elling N. Dahlen from Nord-Aurdal, Valdres, was the first Norwegian settler in the Baconville and Belleville area. He settled there in 1881.

Farming and Markets

The settlers began with wheat farming and cattle raising. Their farm products were taken partly to Valley City and partly to Grand Forks, the latter about ninety miles away. Oxen were used both for plowing and transportation.

Ole O. Førde’s Recollections

Ole O. Førde, one of the pioneers, recalled that his family came to America aboard the sailing ship Norge.

During the voyage, Norge collided with another vessel. The impact was so severe that the two ships became locked together, causing panic among the passengers. After the vessels were separated, however, it became clear that Norge had suffered no serious damage. The other ship had a large hole in its side, but fortunately the damage was above the waterline and could be repaired. 

After living for a time in Winneshiek County, Iowa, the Førde family moved to Jackson County, Minnesota. There, according to Ole O. Førde, his father and twelve others were killed by Indians. His brother was wounded but survived. The author referred readers to the account under Jackson County, Minnesota, for a fuller description of these killings.

Churches and Congregations

Forest River Congregation was established at Belleville by Pastor Christopher Flaten of the Norwegian Synod and was the first Norwegian congregation in Nelson County. The first Norwegian church in the county was built at Bue in 1883 by Sheyenne Congregation. The congregation had been established by Pastor J. Lundeby and later came to belong to the Conference. By 1905, Nelson County had twenty-two Norwegian congregations and twenty-one churches. Nine congregations belonged to the United Church, six to the Lutheran Free Church, five to the Norwegian Synod, one to Hauge’s Synod, and one to the Methodist Church.

Public Office

Gabriel L. Paulson and T. J. Alstad were the first Norwegians to hold county office in Nelson County. Both were elected in 1883, Paulson as Constable and Alstad as Judge. A. J. Gronna, who by the time this account was written was serving in the U.S. Congress, was the first Norwegian to represent Nelson County in the North Dakota Legislature. He was elected in 1888.

Norwegian Place Names

Norwegian place names in Nelson County included Bue, Bergen, Norway, Sogn, Dahlen, Førde, Lee, and Moen.

Sources:

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