Union County, South Dakota

Early Norwegian Settlement

The first Norwegian settler in Union County was Peder Pedersen from Sogn. He settled at Richland in the early 1860s. He was followed by C. Larsen Haagen from Trondheim, Lars Johannessen Rud from Gudbrandsdalen, and K. P. Rønne from Røros. The early Norwegian settlements in Union and Clay Counties were so closely connected that it was difficult to treat them separately in a historical account. For additional information, see Clay County. In the northern part of Union County, Erik Rønning was the first Norwegian settler.

Pioneer Life

During the first years, many settlers lived in dugouts. Their nearest market was Sioux City, about forty miles away. They had little to sell during the early years because grasshoppers repeatedly destroyed their crops, especially the wheat. As a result, survival was difficult for many of the newcomers.

Churches and Congregations

Brule Creek Congregation of the Norwegian Synod was the first Norwegian congregation in this area. Further information about the congregation appears under Clay County. By 1905, Union County had eight Norwegian congregations and six churches. Three congregations belonged to the United Church, three to the Norwegian Synod, and two to Hauge’s Synod.

Public Office

Civil War veteran Gilbert Larsen was the first Norwegian to hold public office in Union County. He was elected County Commissioner in 1872. A. O. Ringsrud, a Norwegian from Union County, became South Dakota’s first Secretary of State.

Institutions

Bethesda Children’s Home, belonging to Hauge’s Synod, was established at Beresford in 1897.

Norwegian Place Names

Post offices with Norwegian names included Alsen and Nora.

Sources:

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