Waushara County, Wisconsin

Early Norwegian Settlement

Nels Nelson, Ole Nelson, Sten Nelson, and Ole Anderson, all from Holla in Bratsberg County, were the first Norwegian settlers in Waushara County. They came from the Skoponong Settlement at Whitewater in Walworth County and settled in the vicinity of Mt. Morris in 1850. No other Norwegians arrived before 1853. The new settlers began growing wheat and corn, which became the county’s principal agricultural products. Berlin was the nearest market, and farm products were hauled there by ox team. Daily wages during the early period were about fifty cents. Indians were still living in the area when the Norwegian settlers arrived.

The Holden Settlement

The settlement became known as Holden. Holden Congregation, established at Mt. Morris in 1854, was the first Norwegian congregation in Waushara County. Pastor O. J. Duus of the Norwegian Synod was its first pastor, and the congregation built the county’s first Norwegian church in 1863. By 1905, Waushara County had three Norwegian congregations and three churches, all belonging to the United Church.

Public Office

H. H. Olsen, who later lived in Chicago, was the first Norwegian to hold public office in Waushara County. He was elected Clerk of Court in 1872 and, in 1893, was elected to the State Legislature.

Sources:

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