Story County, Iowa

The First Norwegian Settlers

On September 25, 1854, Osmond Johnson Høgefoss, Ole Fatland, Osmond Sheldal, who later became a pastor, and Ole Apland left Lisbon, Illinois, for Story County to search for new homes for themselves and for neighbors who wished to move west. They were the first Norwegians to enter the county for the purpose of settlement. After about a month, they returned to Lisbon and reported to their families and fellow settlers that they had found good land. Preparations were then made for a larger migration the following year.

The Journey from Illinois in 1855

On May 16, 1855, everyone who intended to move west assembled at Holdeman’s Prairie, a short distance west of Lisbon. They planned to begin their journey the following day, May 17, Norway’s Independence Day, a date that was not forgotten by those who gathered there. The departure was an emotional occasion. The company consisted of 120 people: twenty-four families, five bachelors, and one widow. They traveled with eighteen ox teams, six horse teams, one single horse, and one spring wagon.

The members of the party were:

Pastor Ole Anfinson and his wife Inger, with their daughter Karine, later Mrs. Kindo. Osmond Sheldal and his wife Anna, with their children Caroline, later Mrs. Lewis; Erik; Halvor; Henry; and Randy, later Mrs. L. O. Larson. Erick Sheldal and his wife Margreta, with their children Betsy, later Mrs. Ole Tesdahl; Randi, later Mrs. W. Weeks; Erik; and Martha, later Mrs. L. Wing. Ole Fatland and his wife Kari, with their children John; Eli, later Mrs. A. Jordahl; Brit; and Henry. Knudt Ersland and his wife Kari, with their children Hactor; Mads; Anna, later Mrs. O. Apland; Anfin; Martha, later Mrs. A. Nelson; Elias; Kari, later Mrs. E. Viland; Engebor, later Mrs. Oley Nelson; and Amos. Knudt Bauge and his wife Kari. Ivar Thvedt and his wife Malende, with their daughter Martha, later Mrs. S. Houge. Barney Hill and his wife Siri, with their daughter Betsey. Christian Heggen and his wife Serina. Vier Weeks and his wife Martha, with their children Ausin; Halvor; Torris; Vier; Engebor, later Mrs. M. Mason; Martha, later Mrs. J. O. Johnson; and Hans. Severt Gravdahl and his wife Alles, with their children Guri, later Mrs. K. Knutson, and Andrew. Lars Tesdahl and his wife Martha. Aksel Larsen and his wife Golla, with their children Lars O.; Thom; and Charles. Orgo Houge and his wife Magda, with their children Severt; Sarah, later Mrs. H. O. Hendricksen; Lars; and Anna, later Mrs. H. Dobbe. Torbørn Houge and his wife Madela, with their children Sarah, later Mrs. O. Anfinson; Guste, later Mrs. C. Christenson; and Ole. Halvor Hauge and his son John. John Severson and his wife Brita, with their children Mary, later Mrs. J. Stenberg; John; and Severt. Salve Heggen and his wife Siri, with their children Andrew; Nels; and Ole. Ole Heggen and his wife Anna. Engebrit Heggen and his wife Siri, with their daughter Susana. Torger Olson and his wife Gertrud, with their children Martha; Ole; and George Gudmon. The widow Guro Shaw, later Mrs. K. Ersland, with her children Betsy, later Mrs. O. Johnson; Thom; and Erick. The five bachelors were Lars Thompson, Ole Apland, Ole Tesdal, Erick Johnson, and Evin Olson.

The settlers came from Etne, Skånevik, and Fjelberg parishes. According to the account, forty-seven of the original emigrants had died by the time it was written, while sixty-one were still living.

Arrival in Story County

The journey ended on Thursday, June 7, 1855. The emigrants stopped on Osmund Sheldal’s land, about one mile southeast of Huxley. They arranged their wagons in a circle, took out their cookstoves and cooking utensils, and prepared a meal. As soon as they had eaten, they began searching out and locating their claims.

Pioneer Life in the New Settlement

Wheat and corn became the settlers’ principal sources of income. Des Moines, about twenty miles away, was their nearest market. The first divine service held under a roof took place in Ole Fatland’s hay shed. The same building was also used for the first registration of confirmands: Tørres Weeks, Wier Weeks, Ingeborg Weeks, Anfin Ersland, Anne Wee, and Betsy Shaw. They were confirmed in the spring of 1856 in the home of Pastor Ole Anfinson. Lars Tesdahl, Knut Ersland, and John Syverson were the first settlers to move into homes of their own.

Births, Marriage, and Deaths

The first children born in the settlement were Anna, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Salomon (Salve?) Heggen, born on July 4, 1855; Ole, son of Ole and Anna Heggen, born on August 14, 1855; and Halvor, son of Lars and Martha Tesdahl, born on September 15, 1855.

The first couple married in the settlement were Ole Anfinson and Anna Ersland. They were married by Pastor Ole Anfinson in Ole Fatland’s house.

The first three deaths in the settlement were a child of Engebrigt and Siri Heggen, the wife of Knut Ersland, and the wife of Erik Tesdahl.

Churches and Congregations

Palestina Congregation was established at Huxley in 1855 by the aforementioned Pastor Ole Anfinson (Krabbetvedt), then of the Augustana Synod. It was the first Norwegian congregation in Story County, and its church was built in 1863. By 1905, Story County had sixteen Norwegian congregations and fifteen churches. Eight congregations belonged to the United Church, four to the Norwegian Synod, and four to Hauge’s Synod.

Norwegian Publications

Norsk-amerikansk Musiktidende, Vor Republik, Skolen og Hjemmet, and Visergutten, were all associated with Story City.

Public Office

Ole K. Hill from Fjelberg was the first Norwegian to hold county office in Story County. He was elected County Recorder in 1877.

Oley Nelson of Slater was the first Norwegian from Story County elected to the State Legislature. He was elected in 1886.

Sources:

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