Roberts County, South Dakota

Early Norwegian Settlement

Ole Andersen Sætre from Breim, Nordfjord, was the first Norwegian settler in Roberts County. He came from Swift or Pope County, Minnesota, and settled in the vicinity of Wilmot in 1875. As far as the author knew, the next Norwegian settlers were Martin Mikkelsen and L. S. Haugen from Telemark, together with Anton Foss, who appears to have been from Lillehammer. As in many other pioneer settlements, the newcomers initially had to make do with sod houses. Wheat farming and cattle raising became their principal sources of income. Ortonville, Minnesota, was their nearest market, and they had to travel there by ox team.

Settlement in Other Parts of the County

The first Norwegian to settle among the Indians at White Rock was Martin Selnes from Namsos, who arrived there in 1876. The first Norwegian settler at Vernon was Sam Abrahamsen. Andreas M. Johnstad from Naustdal, Sunnfjord, was the first Norwegian to settle among the Indians in the vicinity of Wist, while J. E. Kringen from Trondheim was the first in the Bethel area.

The Death of Edward Petersen

A young Norwegian named Edward Petersen had recently lost his life in the area. Petersen accompanied a Deputy Sheriff to an Indian home to seize goods that had been mortgaged. While carrying out their duties, both men were shot and killed.

From Wilderness to Settlement

By about 1905, Roberts County was no longer a wilderness, and Indian control of the area had been greatly reduced. The white settlers, among whom Norwegians played a prominent role, had transformed the former hunting and battle grounds around Sisseton into what the author called a “land of milk and honey.” The establishment of law and order was part of this transformation.

Churches and Congregations

Bø Congregation was established at Wilmot in 1881 and was the first Norwegian congregation in Roberts County. Its first pastor was H. A. Gjevre, who at that time belonged to the Norwegian Synod. The first Norwegian church in the county was built in 1897 at Winans Post Office in Harmon Township by Trondhjem Congregation, which belonged to the United Church. By 1905, Roberts County had twenty Norwegian congregations and eleven churches. Twelve congregations belonged to the United Church, four to the Norwegian Synod, and four to the Lutheran Free Church.

Public Office

Hans H. Hauge was the first Norwegian to hold county office in Roberts County. He was elected Probate Judge in 1884.

Norwegian Place Names

Norwegian place names in Roberts County included Vig, Lien, Norway, Nora, Alsen, Lohre (Løhre), and Otto.

Sources:

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