Woodbury County, Iowa

Norwegian Settlement

The first Norwegian settler in Woodbury County was K. Gullackson from Vardal near Gjøvik. He settled at Sloan, although the year of his arrival was unknown. One of the correspondents recalled that he had come to Muskego, Wisconsin, in 1849 together with many other emigrants. A large number of the group died of cholera. Most of those who survived later continued westward by horse-drawn wagon.

Stagecoach Travel and Indian Conflict

T. A. Thompson from Hardanger, who lived in Sioux City, recalled that he had driven the stagecoach between Sioux City and Fort Randall during the period when Indians still dominated much of the region. Thompson carried two bullets in his body as lasting reminders of those years. On another occasion, he was struck by an arrow that was removed only with great difficulty. The author described Thompson as a powerful and fearless man and therefore well suited to such dangerous work.

Churches and Congregations

Trefoldigheds Congregation was established in Sioux City in 1872 by Pastor O. A. Norman of the Norwegian Synod. It was the first Norwegian congregation in Woodbury County, and its church was built that same year. By 1905, Woodbury County had seven Norwegian congregations and six churches. Three congregations belonged to the United Church, three to Hauge’s Synod, and one to the Methodist Church.

Norwegian Publications

Sioux City Blad was the name of a Norwegian-language newspaper published in Sioux City for a time.

Public Office

Ed. Haakinson, who later lived in Bonesteel, South Dakota, was the first Norwegian to hold public office in Woodbury County.

Sources:

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