Wahkiakum County, Washington

Early Norwegian Settlement

John Ericksen from Stavanger was the first Norwegian settler in Wahkiakum County. He came from California and settled at Skamokawa in 1863, supporting himself through fishing and farming. These also became the principal occupations of the Norwegians who followed him, although the Norwegian population in the county remained relatively small.

The first Norwegian in the small settlement at Cathlamet was John P. Rassa from Sand near Stavanger. He settled there in 1874 and worked as both a fisherman and farmer. At that time, the population of the area consisted mainly of Indians and Americans.

Churches and Congregations

The first Norwegian congregation in the county was established on Puget Island in the mid-1890s by Pastor P. Steen of the Augsburg's Friends. The congregation also built a church. By 1905, Wahkiakum County had six Norwegian congregations. Three belonged to the Norwegian Synod and two to the Lutheran Free Church. The source does not identify the affiliation of the sixth congregation.

Public Office

Ole Svorkmo from Trøndelag was the first Norwegian to hold public office in Wahkiakum County. He was elected County Commissioner in 1890.

Sources:

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