Early Norwegian Settlements in
Michigan
Map of Michigan 1895
Lenawee County, Michigan
Michigan was visited by Norwegians as early as 1833,
when Østen
Espeland, Ingebrigt Larsen Nordvig, Tosten Bjaadland and a few
others came to Adrian, Lenawee Co. but most of them soon left there.
There was no Norwegian settlement in this county.
Muskegon
County,
Michigan
The first permanent Norwegian settlement in Michigan
was established in
the neighbourhood of Muskegon City in 1848, Østen Andersen† from
Ulefos near Skien and Lars Larsen from Arendal were the first that
settled here. The settlement did not get very big. The Norwegians are
spread out over the whole county.
The Lutheran congregation in Muskegon that was
established in 1861 by
Pastor O. J. Hatlestad of the Augustana Synod, was the first Norwegian
congregation in Muskegon Co. The church was built in 1865. (This was
the first Norwegian church for both the county and the State. The first
congregation in the State we find under Oceana County.) Now there are 7
Norwegian churches and 7 congregations in this county, 2 belong to The
United Church, 1 to The Norwegian Synod, 1 to Hauge's Synod, 1 to The
Evangelical Free Church, 1 to the Methodists and 1 to the Baptists.
Ole C. Olsen from Hedemarken was the first Norwegian
who held a public
position here.
Manistee
County,
Michigan
Oliver Thompson from Telemarken was the first
Norwegian settler here;
he settled in the area of Onekama in 1851. Right after him, a few
Norwegians came to the City of Manistee.
Lars Hansen from Ulesaker and Christian Stevenson†
from Grue,
Solør, settled in the area of Chief in 1858. The following year
came Gilbert Overn from Næs, Hedemarken and some others.
Logging and potato growing have been the Norwegian's
most significant
source of income. In the woods one could earn 50 cents a day in the
first years. In the sawmills one would get $10 per month and that was
for a 12 hour work day.
One of my correspondents writes, "On the canal boat
that we took from
New York to Buffalo, we a visit from a Pastor ?? - who
complained that we did not have more among us. But he wished to
lead us for a few days to take care of us in both a spiritual and
bodily sense. He sang and prayed and preached - and he wished to see if
we had obtained valid money. He said, and it was true, that emigrants
often fell into the hands of publicans and sinners. Yes, many of us
brought out our purses that, for the most part, contained 10-dollar
coins of gold. About these, he said that they were far too large to use
in Michigan. But he would change them for us and obtain such coins for
us that were current there. The next morning, the 'priest' and gold
coins were gone and there was great sorrow and anxiety among the poor
innocent emigrants, who were now left without the most necessary."
'Norwalk Evangelical Norwegian Lutheran
Congregation' that was founded
at Manistee in 1864 by Pastor Abraham Jacobsen which at that time belonged
to The Augustana Synod was the first Norwegian congregation in the
county. In 1868 the church was built at Manistee. The congregation that
built the church, however, consisted of Norwegians, Danes and Swedes,
so it would be more correct to call it Scandinavian. Now there are 3
Norwegian churches and congregations in Manistee County, 2 of the
congregations belong to The United Church and 1 to The Methodist Church.
Some time ago there were two post offices with
Norwegian names, namely
Norway and Arendahl.
Oceana
County, Michigan
The first Norwegian settler in this county was
Hendrik Hendriksen from
Fossum, Bratsberg Amt. He settled in the neighbourhood of Shelby in
1856.
There were also some single labourers, who took land
at the same time,
namely, Christian Brensøter† from Gjerpen as well as Tollef
Torgrimsen, Halvor Beedy, Anes Beedy, Tollef Beedy, Andrew Beedy and
Martin Frodesen. The last-mentioned belongs to one of the oldest groups
of still-living Norwegian emigrants. He came to Milwaukee, Wis. with
his parents in 1844. As mentioned, he settled in Michigan in 1856.
Indians were the first Norwegian settlers' nearest neighbors.
'Clebank and Benona Congregation', that was founded
in 1862 by Pastor
O. J. Hatlestad of the Augustana Synod, was the first, and until now,
the only Norwegian congregation in the county. The congregation built a
church in 1884. This was also the first Norwegian congregation in the
State of Michigan.
Alpena County, Michigan
Isak Isaksen, an old sea captain from Egersund, was
the first Norwegian
here. He came here to Alpena City, which at that time consisted of 16
fisher cabins and a sawmill, in 1861. He fished there until his death -
in 1896. Old Isaksen had sailed the Atlantic Ocean for 36 years. The
next Norwegian settlers were Christ Hammer from Lillehammer, Ole Wilson
from Valders as well as Gilbert, Erik and Otter Olsen from Lier, near
Drammen.
In the Lier settlement, not far from Alpena City,
Bernhard Enger, from
Lier, was the first. The settlement's main products for sale are
potatoes, milk, butter and eggs.
In Alpena County, there are 2 Norwegian churches and
3 congregations,
both belonging to The United Church.
Otto Gjørud from Ringerike has been a
magistrate in Alpena
City.
In the Lier settlement, there is a post office by
the name Leer (Lier)
Benzie
County, Michigan
Isak A. Peterson from Langesund was the first
Norwegian settler here.
He settled at Frankfort in 1864. The fishery was for a long time the
most important income source for Norwegians, now they mainly work at
farming, that is, those that live outside of Frankfort City.
'The Evangelical Lutheran Congregation' that was
founded in Frankfort
in 1873 by Pastor Rasmus Bull, was the first Norwegian congregation in
the county, it belonged to The Norwegian Synod. Its church was built in
1884. There are now, in all, three Norwegian congregations, belonging
to The Norwegian Synod.
Houghton
County, Michigan
In 1865, a flock of Norwegians, led by Chr.
Tostesen, came to Calumet,
Mich. Most of them were from Kaafjorden's Copper Works. Mining was the
Norwegian's main employment in this county.
'Quincy Norwegian Lutheran Congregation', that was
founded in 1866 by
Pastor A. Fredriksen of Augustana Synod, was the first Nowegian
congregation in this county. The first church was built in 1876 by the
'Calumet Norwegian Lutheran Congregation', belonging to The Conference.
Now, there are 5 Norwegian congregations and churches in Houghton C., 2
of them belonging to The Lutheran Free Church, 2 to The Methodist
Church and 1 to The United Church.
In Calumet, the first Norwegian Good Templar Lodge
in America was
founded. It was founded in 1874 with a Trønder by the name of S.
Wold as B. Ø. T. and Haagen Jacobsen, from Stjørdal, as
B. B. T. For a complete account of this, see the section, 'Temperance
activity among the Norwegians in America'.
There is a post office in Houghton County with the
name Oscar, but
whether it is named after the former king of Norway and Sweden or not,
is not known.
Montcalm
County,
Michigan
The first Norwegian here was Christian Olsen from
Sebudberge in Aasnes.
He settled at Lakeview in 1866. The number of Norwegians in this
county, nevertheless, is small.
The first and only Norwegian congregation in this
county was founded at
Lakeview in 1877 by Pastor Ole Amble, a Norwegian priest, who is still
serving here. The church was built in 1889.
There is also a post office by the name of Amble.
Leelanau
County, Michigan
Staale Johnson from Kristiansund, Thore Melkild from
Øxendalen,
Nordmøre and Isak Garthe from Surendalen were the first
Norwegians in this county. They came to Northport in 1867. At the same
time came Peder Berg from Aure, Iver Husby from Øxendalen and
Haldor Olsen from Trondhjem, but they moved away from there. Cord wood
and ordinary farm products were the Norwegian's main source of income.
'Vor Frelsers Menighed' (Our Saviors Congregation),
that was founded in
1874 by Pastor M. V. Ruh, belonging to The Conference, was the county's
first Norwegian congregation. The first Norwegian church was built at
Sutton's Bay in 1885 by The Lutheran Synod congregation here. Now there
are 4 Norwegian churches and 5 congregations in Leelanau, 3 of the
congregations belong to The Norwegian Synod and 2 to The United Church.
J. Smith from Stangvik was the County's first
official.
Marquette
County, Michigan
The very first Norwegian who settled in this county
was Fredrick
Brastad from Gudbrandsdalen. He settled at Marquette in 1868, but after
a short time moved to Ishpeming, where he opened a store in 1873. His
business became one of the largest in the State. At Ishpeming, there is
a large band of Norwegians, of which a large number are from
Trøndelagen, (See 'Sammenstilling af norske sambygdinger i
Amerika', later in the book)
At Michigamme, where there are some few Norwegian families, the first
were Lars Halvorsen from Hedrum, near Laurvig, Ole Elsnes and the
brothers Christian and Jacob Olson from Stiklestad, who settled there
in 1873.
There is one Norwegian church and 2 congregations in
this county, the
one belonging to The United Church, the other to The Lutheran Free
Church.
The aforementioned Fredrick Braastad was elected
State Treasurer in
1890.
Northland P. O. is possibly of Norwegian origin.
Antrim
County, Michigan
The first Norwegian in this county was Peter Johnson
Røli from
Sparbu. He settled at Elk Rapids in 1869. Next after him came Julius
Hansen from the Drammen area and Charles Mikkelsen from Knoppen,
Mangers Parish. The main source of income has been potatoes, maize and
wheat.
The first and, until now, the only Norwegian congregation in this
county was founded at Elk Rapids in 1882 by Pastor J. J. Maakestad,
belonging to The Norwegian Synod. The church was built in 1885.
As we see, Norwegians are spread out in Michigan.
Schoolcraft
County,
Michigan
One of the very first Norwegians in this county was
Torger
Klægstad from Modum. He came to Manistique with his family in
1871. Northern Michigan was wilderness at that time and there was no
railway. In the summer, the settlers received their mail by sail ship
from Chicago, in the winter they were cut off from postal connection.
They were absolutely cut off from the outside world. Magnus, the son of
the aforementioned Torger Klægstad, has been
Sheriff in Schoolcraft Co.
The Lutheran Congregation, that was founded in
Manistique in 1888 by
Pastor Paul Koren and that was first served by Pastor B. J. Larsen,
belonging to The Norwegian Synod was the first and, until now, the only
Norwegian congregation in this county. Its church was built in 1892.
Delta
County, Michigan
Anders Christensen from Drammen was the first
Norwegian here. He
settled at Stonington in 1872: the same year came Erik Olsen, also from
Drammen. The main products are timber, cord wood and potatoes.
The congregation, that was established in Escanada
in 1888 by Pastor G.
A. of The Conference, was the first Norwegian congregation in the
county.
There are now two Norwegian congregations in Delta
Co., one of them
belongs to The Lutheran Free Church, the other to The Norwegian Synod.
Barago
County, Michigan
In the area of Skanee, where there is a Norwegian
settlement, Charley
Johnson and Engebret Oust were the first. The settlement was founded in
the 70s. There were many Indians and Frenchmen there at that time.
In the area of L'Anse, where there was also a number of Norwegians,
Petter M. Rønning from Trondhjem was the first settler. He
settled there in 1876.
A Methodist congregation was established there by
Pastor A. Haagensen
in the 80s. There is also a small congregation belonging to The
Lutheran Free Church.
Gogebic
County, Michigan
John Bjørnsen and Ole Sjelle, both from
Gudbrandsdalen, were the
first Norwegians in this county. They came from Wisconsin and settled
in Bessemer in 1885. A short time after came B. O. Lund from
Solør. Cornelius Hansen and Mr. Richardsen from Bergen, B. O.
Rosendal from Kristiansand, Torsten Eggen from Hommelvig, near
Trondhjem and John Backen†, Amund Johnson† and Simon Akre, all from
Gudbrandsdalen. The last mentioned lives in Ironwood, the rest, that
still live, live in Bessemer. Mining is the county's leading source of
a living. The above mentioned, however, have had their employment in
the city.
There is one Norwegian congregation belonging to The
Lutheran Free
Church.
The aforementioned Torsten Eggen has been a city
magistrate in Bessemer.
Mason
County, Michigan
There are 3 Norwegian churches and congregations in
this county. One of
the congregations belongs to The Norwegian Synod, 1 to The Methodist
Church and 1 to The Baptist Church. Most of the Norwegians live in
Ludington, and here, Carl E. Ericksen from Porsgrund has been a judge.
Alcona
County, Michigan
The first Norwegian in the area of Spruce, where
there is a small
Norwegian settlement, was Ole Rustan from Lier. He came there in 1892.
The same year came Bernhard Johnson, Martin
Rasmussen, Elling Olsen and
Christopher Anderson.
The first, and only to date, Norwegian congregation
in the county was
established at Spruce in 1894 by Pastor J. A. Wang of The United
Church. The church was built in 1899.
Calhoun
County, Michigan
Here, there is no Norwegian settlement. For
information about the
Adventist newspaper, 'Evangelists Sendebud' that was published for a
time in Battle Creek, the Adventist's head seat, see
'Norwegian-American newspapers and periodicals'. And for information
about Norwegians who adhere to that faith, see the Church Section.
Charlevoix County, Michigan
Anton Walstad from Lier near Drammen, was the first
Norwegian in East
Jordan, where there is a little Norwegian settlement. He came there in
1887.
'The Evangelical Lutheran Congregation', that was
founded in 1902 by
Pastor H. S. Rue, belonging to The Norwegian Synod, is the only
Norwegian congregation in the county.
Chippewa County,
Michigan
George H. Stenberg from Ørlandet was likely
the first of the
very few who settled in this county. He came to Sault Ste. Marie in
1892 and farms nearby.
Menomonie
County, Michigan
In Menomonie, which is a fairly large city, there is
also found some
Norwegians, mainly from Aalesund and Kristiania areas. And some are
spread out in the countryside.
There are 2 Norwegian churches and 3 congregations
in the county, 2 of
the congregations belong to The Methodist Church and 1 to The United
Church.
Lawyer J. M. Opsahl has been a judge in Menomonie.
He was the first
Norwegian to hold a public position in this county.
Dickinson County, Michigan
There are 2 Norwegian churches and 2 congregations
in this county.
One of the congregations belongs to The United
Church and the other to
the Adventists.
There is a Norway Township and a city by the same
name.
Grand Traverse County, Michigan
There is found a number of wide-spread Norwegians in
this county,
mainly from Trøndelagen and Drammen. See 'Samenstilling av
Sambygdinger i Amerika', the book's last part.
Keweenaw County, Michigan
Here also, some few Norwegians, probably from
Finmarken and
Trøndelagen.
Any organized congregation is not to be found.
Mecosta County, Michigan
Not many Norwegians here. There is, however, a
congregation belonging
to The Norwegian Synod. The report mentions no church, so there
probably is none.
Translated
by Olaf
Kringhaug
Vernon, British Columbia, Canada
Nordmændene i Amerika by Martin Ulvestad, 1907
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