Early Norwegian Settlements in Tennessee

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Map of Tennessee 1895
Lawrence County, Tennessee
   The first Norwegian in the vicinity of Lawrenceburg, where there is a Norwegian settlement - the first in the State - was Lars Syversen from Drangedal, who settled at that place in 1887, and who died in 1894. There are, however, not many Norwegians in this State. See the accompanying map.
   In 1892, 2 Norwegian congregations were established in Lawrenceburg, one belonging to The Norwegian Synod and the other to The United Church. The Synod congregation, whose first priest was O. Skattebøl,  built a church in 1894 - the only Norwegian church in this State.

Morgan County, Tennessee
   The first Norwegians in this county were A. Rice, E. Rice† and R. Bemnes from Sogn and K. K. Bekkedal† from Hallingdal. They settled near Frankfort at a place now called Bekke (after Mr. Bekkedal) in 1891. Next after them came Wm. Adsmon from Telemarken, A. S. Nelson from Sogn and F. Neset, M. Anderson, A. Lee†, A. Lund, M. Gaarden, P. Strøm and the Weideman family. They settled in the vicinity of Deerlodge. Maize, potatoes and livestock were the main sources of income.
   A Norwegian congregation was founded at Frankfort in 1893 by Pastor J. Nummedal of The United Church.

Cumberland County, Tennessee
   A family by the name of Thompson from Ryfylke were the first Norwegian settlers here. They settled at Genesis, where there is a little Norwegian settlement, in 1891. Later in the year came Gulbrand Gulbrandsen from Hallingdal. Maize and potato growing is the settlement's leading source of income. The pay for workers was 50 cents per day in the first period.

Translated by Olaf Kringhaug
Vernon, British Columbia, Canada
Nordmændene i Amerika by Martin Ulvestad, 1907
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