St. Louis County, Minnesota

Early Norwegian Settlement

Paul Shervey from Levanger was, as far as is known, the first Norwegian to settle in St. Louis County, or at least one of the first. He settled in Duluth in 1870 and was later elected Sheriff. He was subsequently appointed State Marshal. Shervey died in 1904. P. O. Stenson was also among the early Norwegian pioneers in Duluth. In his time, he was one of the city’s first businessmen and property owners. He came to Duluth in 1872.

Churches and Congregations

A Norwegian Lutheran congregation was established in Duluth in 1879. By about 1907, St. Louis County had fifteen Norwegian congregations and twelve churches. Seven congregations belonged to the United Church, three to the Norwegian Synod, two to Hauge’s Synod, two to the Lutheran Free Church, and one to the Methodist Church.

Norwegian Newspapers

The Duluth Scandinav, a Norwegian newspaper, began publication in the late 1880s. It was followed by Scandia, which was later published in Chicago, and Duluth Banner, which after a short time merged with Superior Tidende in 1902.

Norwegian Hospital

In 1905, funds were being raised for a Norwegian hospital in Duluth. The hospital was to bear the name of the late Chairman Hoyme.

Norwegian Place Names

Places with Norwegian names included Breda, Skibo, Norway, Norman, Sundby, and Molde.

Sources:

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