Norwegian Settlement
C. Newton from Hardanger was the first Norwegian settler in Poweshiek County. He settled at Grinnell in 1864. Thomas Nelson and Lars Olsen Myrland arrived at about the same time, but both later moved away. Nelson went to Story County, while Myrland moved to Forest City, where he died.
Pioneer Travel
One of the early settlers recalled the poor condition of the bridges in those years. Bridges sometimes collapsed under travelers, causing both horses and people to fall into the water. Such accidents could be fatal. In many places, there were either primitive bridges or no bridges at all. The author remarked that the Indians had not been particularly concerned with building such infrastructure.
Churches and Congregations
Elling Eielsen established a Norwegian congregation in the county during the 1870s. A church was built in 1899.
Sources:
[Ulvestad, Martin. Nordmændene i Amerika. Utg. History Book Company's Forlag. Minneapolis, Minn. 1907.]
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