Pierce County, North Dakota

Early Norwegian Settlement

T. T. Grønvold and O. T. Tofsrud, both from Sigdal, together with Christ Bremset from Trondheim, were the first Norwegian settlers in Pierce County. They settled in the vicinity of Barton and Rugby in 1885. Later that same year came John Johnson from Kristiania (Oslo); H. H. Funden from Nes, Øvre Romerike; Carl Julsrud, Anton Julsrud, A. O. Ruud, and J. O. Ruud from Smaalenene (Østfold); E. N. Enger, R. P. Grønvold, and T. E. Haugen from Sigdal; and S. S. Gudvangen from Sogn.

The Hurricane Lake Settlement

In 1887, a Norwegian settlement was established in the vicinity of Hurricane Lake. The first settlers there were J. O. Lomsdalen from Ådal, Ringerike; Martinius Nilsen from Land parish; Kittel Hiaasen from Sigdal; Thom Neresen from Telemark; Ole C. O. Olsen from Gudbrandsdalen; Nils E. Garvik, Engebret E. Garvik, Ole Mikkelsen, Martin E. Engen, Ole H. Brager, and his sons Petter, Johan, and Oscar Brager, the last eight from Valdres; Nils S. Laftvet from Stavanger; and Eberhardt Gundersen from Solør.

Pioneer Hardships

Conditions were difficult during the first years. The settlers lost their crops to frost in the first year, and during the following three years they harvested almost nothing because of drought. Norwegian pioneers in many places met with similarly severe hardships.

Churches and Congregations

By 1905, Pierce County had nine Norwegian congregations and seven churches. Four congregations belonged to the United Church, two to the Norwegian Synod, two to the Lutheran Free Church, and one to the Baptist Church.

Public Office

C. A. Ericksen and Chr. Evensen were the first Norwegians to hold public office in Pierce County. Both were elected in 1889, Ericksen as Register of Deeds and Evensen as Treasurer. C. A. Ericksen was also the first Norwegian to represent Pierce County in the State Legislature. He was elected in 1890.

Norwegian Place Names

Places with Norwegian names in Pierce County included Elling and Rugby.

Sources:

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