Early Norwegian Settlements in Utah
Salt Lake County, Utah
The first person of Norwegian origin that settled in Utah
was Augusta Sondrason Bakke from Tinn, Telemarken. She came from
Nauvoo, Hancock Co., Ill. to Salt Lake the 24th July 1847. This girl
was married to a Mormon by the name of Kimball - and died the 22nd
November 1871.
Next after her came Knud Pedersen, Sarah Hersdal and Sjur
Olson†, they reached Salt Lake in 1849. And a fairly short time after
came Christian Olsen† from Kristiania and another Norwegian by the name
of Henrik Eriksen Sebbe†.
Sarah Hersdal* and Knud Pedersen* were a married couple
according to Mormon teaching. Their son, Peder Cornelius Pedersen, born
the 22nd June 1850, was the first Norwegian child born in Utah.
The area in which these people settled and where Salt Lake
City now stands was then a salt desert, virtually. But once the
irrigation system was in use the soil became fertile. Mostly they grew
potatoes, maize and lucerne hay. And all these things they had use for
in the Mormon colony itself so they did not have to take them to
market. Nor was there any marketplace in this area at that time. These
people were in transition, far away from other people.
In 1883 a Methodist congregation was established in Salt
Lake City by P. A. Franklin (from Toten) who was converted from
Mormonism. The congregation's church was built in 1887.
The first Norwegian-Lutheran congregation in Utah was
established in Salt Lake City in 1892 by Pastor Eivind Skabo, belonging
to The Norwegian Synod. Its church was built in 1897. There are no
other Norwegian congregations or churches (in Salt Lake City) outside
of the Mormon society. It can also be said that the Mormons are in the
majority.
The much written about U.S. Senator Reed Smoot is half
Norwegian, his mother came from Brekke at Fredrikstad. In one of his
speeches he regretted that he could not speak his mother's tongue. For
more information about him and others see the section 'Norwegians in
public positions in America'.
In Salt Lake City there is published a Norwegian-Danish
newspaper 'Bikuben' that started in 1875.
*She belonged to one of the families that emigrated on the sloop
'Restaurationen' from Stavanger in 1825. But he (Pedersen) was from a
Hardanger family. He later became a Bishop among the Mormons in this
State.
San Pete County, Utah
The first Norwegian settler in this county was Andreas
Olsen who settled at Ephraim.
In 1884 a little Norwegian-Danish was established here by
Pastor Martin Anderson, belonging to The Methodist Church. The church
was built in 1895.
The Mormon Bishop Knud Pedersen†, who lived here in
Ephraim, was for a time a member of the State Legislature and another
Norwegian, Gustav A. Iverson has been Court Clerk in this county.
Cache County, Utah
In the vicinity of Logan, where there is a larger
Norwegian settlement, Ole Hamsmonen† from Øvrebø Parish
was the first or at least one of the very first settlers. He came to
Logan in 1856 and was one of Joseph Smith's adherents. His children
still live here, at least most of them.
The majority of Norwegians here belong to The Mormon
Church. But there is also a Norwegian Methodist congregation. see the
section, 'Norsk-Amerikanske Kirkesamfund'.
For information of a political nature see, 'Norwegians in
public office in America'.
Uintah County, Utah
Mrs. C. F. Lybbert of Naples was the first person of Norwegian
ancestry in the county. She was also among the first who came to Utah -
by ox wagon. While they were on the way one of her lady friends was
captured and carried away by the Indians.
The Norwegian population in this county is thin.
