Sweet Grass County, Montana

Early Norwegian Settlement

Henry Ellingsen from Byneset near Trondheim was the first Norwegian settler in the county. He settled at Melville in 1881, and O. L. Clausen arrived the same year. They were followed by O. P. Fallang, B. Forsyth, and J. Gundersen. J. L. Rapstad was the first, or at least among the first, Norwegian settlers in Big Timber. As far as was known, Sam Solberg and O. C. Christensen were the first Norwegians at Howie.

Before the arrival of the Norwegian settlers, Indians had dominated the region. Livestock raising became the principal source of income for the settlers.

Churches and Congregations

The first Norwegian congregation in the county was established at Melville in 1884 by Pastor P. J. Reinertsen and belonged to the Augustana Synod. The source noted that this was not only the first Norwegian congregation in the county, but the first in the entire state. By 1905, there were two Norwegian congregations in the county, both belonging to the United Church.

Public Office

O. A. Fallang, who served as Sheriff, was the first Norwegian to hold public office in Sweet Grass County. For additional information, see the section “Norwegians in Public Positions in America.”

Sources:

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