Schoolcraft County, Michigan

Early Norwegian Settlement

One of the earliest Norwegians in Schoolcraft County was Torger Klægstad from Modum. He came to Manistique with his family in 1871. At that time, northern Michigan was still largely wilderness, and there was no railroad. During the summer, the settlers received their mail by sailing vessel from Chicago. In winter, postal communication ceased entirely, leaving them virtually cut off from the outside world. Magnus Klægstad, a son of Torger Klægstad, later served as Sheriff of Schoolcraft County.

Churches and Congregations

The Lutheran congregation in Manistique was established in 1888 by Pastor Paul Koren and was the first, and by the time this account was written the only, Norwegian congregation in Schoolcraft County. Its first serving pastor was B. J. Larsen of the Norwegian Synod. The congregation built its church in 1892.

Sources:

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