Republic County, Kansas

Early Norwegian Settlement

August and George Asbjørnsen from Horten came to Scandia, Kansas, in February 1869, where a number of Swedish settlers were already living. T. A. Nelson from Porsgrunn arrived at about the same time. In August that same year, R. Rimol from Trøndelag settled at Norway. These men were therefore among the first Norwegian settlers in Republic County. The settlers initially lived in dugouts and began raising wheat and corn. Their nearest market was at Waterville, about sixty-five miles away, and they transported their produce there by ox team. Two other settlers from Melhus who came to Norway were J. Lehn and Brynjulf B. Stensaas. Lehn returned to Norway in 1882, where he later died, while Stensaas died in 1889.

Churches and Congregations

Vor Frelsers Congregation, located at Norway Post Office in Norway Township, was established in 1872 by Pastor Høiland. It originally belonged to Hauge’s Synod and was the only Norwegian congregation in the county. By 1905, the congregation belonged to the United Church. Its church had been built in 1888.

Public Office

Carl Hugaas from Strinda near Trondheim served as a member of the Kansas State Legislature. R. Rimol also held public office, serving as County Commissioner.

Sources:

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