Polk County, Iowa

Norwegian Settlement

The northern part of Polk County was settled at about the same time as the southern part of Story County. For the early history of this settlement, see the section on Story County. Between 1857 and 1860, a number of unmarried Norwegian men came from Story County to Des Moines in search of work. Most of them enlisted and left the area when the Civil War began in 1861. The first permanent Norwegian settler in Des Moines was Thom Shaw, who settled there in 1872.

Churches and Congregations

A Norwegian congregation was established in Des Moines in 1876 by Pastor J. H. Myhre of the Conference. Its church was built in 1880. The first Norwegian congregation in Polk County, however, was probably the one established by Pastor Sheldal at the place that still bore his name, Sheldal Post Office, near the border between Polk and Story Counties. By 1905, Polk County had three Norwegian congregations and two churches. One congregation belonged to Hauge’s Synod, one to the United Church, and one to the Methodist Church.

Public Office

Andrew Nelson was the first Norwegian to hold public office in Polk County. He served as County Commissioner during the 1880s.

Sources:

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