Scandinavian immigration patterns.

I have numerous ancestors that settled in Minnesota and Wisconsin. I have found that most (both Norwegian and Swedish) seemed to eventually get to the Black River Falls, WI before dispersing to northern Wisconsin and Minnesota., both of which have very many Scandinavian immigrants. I imagine they came by ship to New York or Canada by ship and then found route close to where the land was right/comfortable and there were others that preceded them. I imagine many came by boat through the Great Lakes (especially after the Erie Canal opened), but there is railroad service in in Black River Falls. Some early ancestors (before 1855) were in the Milwaukee, WI area, but most came into the Black River Falls for a year or so before dispersing on the 100 to 300 mile trip to where they settled. One bought a cast iron wood stove there and carried it the last 15 miles on his back to northern Wisconsin. This seems to be for both Norwegian and Swedish immigrants over a period of over 30 years. Is this a common route? If so, why?