Ward County, North Dakota

Early Norwegian Settlement

Ole Tygesen from Skien, Ole Spokkeli from Telemark, John Jacobsen from Kongsberg, Sivert Anderson from Sogn, and H. Gasmann from Gjerpen were the first Norwegian settlers in Ward County. They came from Wisconsin and settled in the vicinity of Burlington and Minot in 1882. They were followed by the Ramstad family from Sigdal, J. O. Watne from Sogn, Seval Johnson from Nordland, and John Johnson, whose birthplace in Norway is unknown.

Farming, Hunting, and Markets

The settlers began primarily with cattle raising, which during the first years was the county’s principal source of income. They also hunted buffalo and other game for which there was a good market. Bismarck and Devils Lake were their nearest market towns. Bismarck was about one hundred miles away, while Devils Lake was about two hundred miles distant. These journeys had to be made by ox team.

Pioneer Life along the Mouse River

One of the early settlers left a reflective account of life during the first years at Mouse River. The settlers lived in small log cabins, some with one room and others with two. The buildings were low and cramped, but there was still enough room to accommodate traveling fellow countrymen and neighbors who sometimes stayed overnight. The writer remembered the homes as places of hospitality and good fellowship. Despite the modest conditions, people were content with what they had and treated one another with kindness. Trips to town were generally made in the spring and fall. Those who owned no oxen traveled with neighbors who did. According to the writer, the poor were not left behind. Everyone joined these journeys, which could take about two weeks each way. Each settler usually had something to sell, while the trip also provided an opportunity to purchase the necessities of life. For several years, the settlers lived together in peace and mutual understanding. On Sundays, they gathered for religious devotion, meeting first in one home and then another.

Changes after the Railroad

The arrival of the railroad brought many new settlers into the area. According to the pioneer, the growing population also brought disagreements and conflicts, both in secular matters and within the churches. By 1905, life had become modernized, but he sometimes wished he could return to the simple pioneer years along the Mouse River. In his view, the hardships had been compensated for by the strong sense of fellowship among the settlers. He particularly remembered a time when there had been no lawyers, because there had been little need for them, and when the settlers had not yet been divided into competing church factions.

Churches and Congregations

Mouse River Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation was established in 1884 and belonged to the Norwegian Synod. It was the first Norwegian congregation in Ward County. By 1905, Ward County had eighteen Norwegian congregations and eight churches. Nine congregations belonged to the Norwegian Synod, four to the United Church, four to the Lutheran Free Church, and one to the Baptist Church.

Public Office

Gunder S. Relshus was the first Norwegian to hold public office in Ward County. He was elected County Treasurer in 1888. Andrew C. Nedrud was the first Norwegian to represent Ward County in the State Legislature. He served during the 1889–1890 session.

Norwegian-American Press

Mouse River Tidende was established in Minot in 1902 but ceased publication after a short time. In 1905, Minot Posten began publication.

Norwegian Place Names

Norwegian place names in Ward County included Questad (Kvistad), Bolaker, Bye, Overholt, Mohall, Sorkness, Stammen, and Hamerfest.

Sources:

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