Island County, Washington
   There are probably not many who believe that Norwegians had found their way to Washington (on the 'other side' of America) as early as 60 years ago. The following account is true however. Mrs. Emma Graham of Oak Harbor writes, "On your invitation I will briefly report what I know about the first settlers in the Territory (now State) of Washington. My brother Martin Zakarias Tosteson† was the first white man to come here. He landed in Oak Harbor, Widbye (Whidbey) Island in 1847.
   Our childhood home was Levanger, Norway, where my father was a merchant and hotel landlord. Martin, however, had gone to Hammerfest where one of our sisters had married, but he did not remain there long. He wished to see the world and therefore hired on a ship that went to England and from there he sailed on an American ship to New Orleans. Right at that time came strong rumors about gold. California became the destination for all adventurers. With very little travel gear he and a Swiss set off on horse. But the Swiss joined another group that they met on the way and that went in a different direction. My brother thus came to be alone on his wandering. One evening while he rested, his horse was stolen and he was left on the wild prairie - without comrades and without a horse. But then he saw some smoke far away, he went there and found many Indians gathered. He also found his horse there. He got it back using his knife, and they did not notice before he rode off at full gallop and then it was too late.
   In Oak Harbor he took 320 acres of land and began raising cattle. After a while another Norwegian came here, Eilert Graham from Lindesnes. He came to this port via Cape Horn, South America. He and my brother became companions. After a few years my mother, a younger brother and I came here and I became married to Mr. Graham. For a long time we were the only Norwegians in Washington."
   Now there is one Norwegian congregation in Island Co. It belongs to The Norwegian Synod.
   K. P. Frostad, who was elected County Commissioner in 1896 and in 1902 as Member of the State Legislature, was the first - and until now the only Norwegian to hold public office here.

Wahkiakum County, Washington
   John Ericksen† from Stavanger was the first Norwegian settler in this county. He came from California and settled at Skamokawa in 1863. He supported himself through fishing and farming as do those who came after him. However, there are not many Norwegians here.
   The first in the little Norwegian settlement at Cathlamet was John P. Rassa from Sand near Stavanger. He settled there as a fisher and farmer in 1874. At that time there were only Indians and Americans in this region.
   The Trønder Ole Svorkmo was the first Norwegian to hold public office in the county. He was elected Commissioner in 1890.
   Pastor P. Steen of the Augsburg's Friends established a congregation on Puget Island in the middle of the 90s. This was the first in the county. It also built a church. Now there are 6 Norwegian congregations in Wahkiakum County of which 3 belong to The Norwegian Synod and 2 to The Lutheran Free Church.

Lewis County, Washington
   Harald Hansen and William Johansen† from Kristiania were the first Norwegian settlers in this county. They came from California and settled at Alpha as early as 1867, long before other Norwegians came there. Hansen and Johansen saw no other people than Indians in the first years they lived at this place.
   A Norwegian Lutheran congregation was established here in 1886 by Pastor H. Engh.
   At Winlock there is also a small Norwegian congregation served by a priest from The Norwegian Synod.

Skagit County, Washington
   A Trønder by the name of Hanson settled at La Connor as early as 1869. He came there from British Columbia. Probably after having been a seaman. Seamen, especially the Norwegian ones, travel around the world. About Hanson nothing more can be found.
   Ole Nilsen Lee, a Vossing who still lives in Skagit, says himself that he was the first Norwegian and white man hereabouts. He stayed in California (naturally as a gold digger some of the time) from 1859 to 1876. In the latter year he came to Skagit, Wash. where he settled among the Indians. The first Norwegian sermon in this county was read in his house.
   The first in the vicinity of Edison was Gustav Volden from Sogndal. Another old settler there was Rasmus S. Johnson from Egersund. He says that he came to America on a sailship and soon after they had sighted Nova Scotia, they got stuck in the ice (at a speed of 10 knots). This happened in the middle of the night when it was pitch-dark. There was a great uproar and everyone believed they would perish. But the captain got them calmed down. It showed that the ship had not suffered any particular damage. However, they were stuck in the ice for 14 days. When they finally got to land they were shipped in cattle cars to Chicago. At night they lay in rows on the floor along the car's walls. They remained in these cars for 8 days. There were about 300 immigrants altogether, most from the Stavanger region and no one wished to make the trip again.
   In Skagit County, they live mainly by fishing, logging and farming.
   The first Norwegian congregation here was established in 1888 by Pastor Christian Jørgensen of The Norwegian Synod. Now there are 8 congregations and 5 churches, 6 belong to The Norwegian Synod and 2 to The United Church.

Pierce County, Washington
   Judge J. M. Arntsen, one of Washington's pioneers reports, "The first Norwegian settlers in Pierce County settled in Tacoma, at that time a town, now a big city. They were not farmers nor was it farms they were looking for.
   As far as it has been possible for me to find out these things, it was Anton Anderson from Aalesund who was the first to find a home in Tacoma. He lived in a shack on the seashore and supported himself by fishing. This was in the beginning of the 70s. His daughter Annie Anderson was the first Scandinavian child born in Tacoma. Later, when this was proven, she received a building lot on D Street as a present from the Tacoma Land Company. Her father was killed during a battle between the police and a band of opium smugglers.
   Next after Anton Anderson came E. R. Ring, a carpenter, and Mike Anderson.
   The first couple to be married in Tacoma were that  same Mike Anderson and Mathea Johnson. That was in 1874. Mathea was the first Norwegian girl to come to Tacoma. She came from the vicinity of Trondhjem in 1874, thus the same year she was married here. Next after these came Mathias Lund and John Anderson, both from Kvæfjorden in Nordland. They came in 1877 and found employment in a sawmill in the 'old town'.
   But after that time a great number of Norwegians have moved to Washington and not the least to the City of Tacoma. Fishing, logging and work in sawmills has been their leading source of income. Some came directly from Norway and some were seamen. But the greatest part came from the Norwegian settlements in Minnesota, the Dakotas, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and other states in the east. They were known to be diligent workers, honest businessmen, good American citizens and most of them have comfortable homes. That many of them have obtained good positions is to be expected."
    In the Norwegian settlement at Tanwax the first was Terje Petersen from Tjømø. He came there in 1886. Next came Torwald Halvorsen, John Larson, H. Kjeldstad, Salve Johnson, Charley Johnson and the families of Ed and H. Anderson.
   The founder of the Norwegian settlement at Bee was Hans Kommen, a veteran of the Civil War. He settled there in 1888.
   The first Norwegian at Parkland, one of Tacoma's suburbs was mason Martin Glassøe from Stordalen, he built his home here in 1891. Here there is a Norwegian newspaper, as mentioned elsewhere, a Norwegian High School and many other things Norwegian.
   The first permanent settler in the vicinity of Roy was G. A. Harstad from Sætersdalen who settled there in 1895. Next came Ole Aaberg, Erik Anderson, Peter Veien and Knut Hong, all from Nordre Aurdal, Valders, Peter Loney from Namsos, Asbjørn Myhre from Telemarken, T. Gund and Peter Gund from Ringsaker, Sam Ravnum from Faaberg, as well as Lars Klomby and B. K. Fodness. They supported themselves with mixed farming.
   In 1885, 2 Norwegian congregations were established in Tacoma, one a Methodist congregation by Pastor C. J. Larsen and a Baptist congregation by Pastor Knud Nilsen. The Methodists built a church the same year and the Baptists the following year. These were the first Norwegian congregations and churches in Tacoma - and in Pierce County. The first Norwegian Lutheran congregation in this county was established in Tacoma in 1887 by Pastor Iver Tollefsen of The Conference. This congregation built the City's and County's first Norwegian Lutheran church in 1889. Now there are 15 Norwegian congregations and 10 churches in the city and county, 3 belong to The Norwegian Synod, 3 to The United church, 1 to The Lutheran Free Church, 1 to The Seaman's Mission, 1 to the Evangelical Free Church, 1 to The Free Mission, 1 to the Methodists, 1 to the Baptists and 1 to the Adventists.
   For information about 'Tacoma Tidende' (started in 1890), 'Tacoma Folkeblad, 'Tacoma Budstykke', 'Waisenhus Tidende' and 'Vestkysten', all in Tacoma as well as 'Pacific Herold' in Parkland, 'Pacific Emisæren' (now in Everett), see the section, 'Norwegian-American newspapers and periodicals'
   For information about Pacific Lutheran Academy and The Children's Home (both in Parkland) and The Seaman's Home, see those institution's respective sections.
   In the section, 'Norwegians in public positions in America' Pierce County is represented with the others.

King County, Washington
   There are several who agree that it was a man by the name of Christopher Christophersen, who settled 4 miles from Kent where a little station bears his name, was the first Norwegian settler in King County. However, the year he settled there is unknown. He was from Mandal.
   The settlement at Woodinville is also relatively old. Emanuel Nelson from Horten and Gustav Jacobsen, Lars Wold and Ingebrigt Wold settled here in 1876.
   A person who worked and travelled in King County in 1877 wrote, "I met only 6 Norwegian families, namely the Olsons, Hansons, Wolds, Henry Bestrøms, Andrew O. Lunds and Christopher Christophersens, the first four right in Seattle, the two last a little away. These were thus the first settlers (of Norwegian origin) in the Seattle area.
   The following came to the vicinity of Bothell in 1882: Jacob T. Hammer and Ole Justen from Lom, Johannes Olsen† from Sogn as well as Jacob Mohn and Gerhard Ericksen from Molde.
   Peter M. Benson and Hans Moe from Sogn and Julius Johnson from Fet Parish were the first in Kent. They settled there in 1889.
   The settlement at Redmond was founded in 1890. H., K., J., O. and G. Steensland as well as Christian Rabstad, William Helstad, Peter Kittelson and Robert Solberg, all from Kristiansand, Lars S. Herberg from Biri, John Petersen and John Outley from Kristiania, Ole and Gabriel Rosford from Rosfjord, John Eversen from Enebak, Peder Ericksen from Trondhjem as well as C. B. Westby and Mathias Monsen, born in this country, were the first Norwegian settlers in the vicinity of Redmond.
   The Norwegian Lutheran Congregation that was established in Seattle by Pastor Iver Tollefson of The Conference was the first Norwegian congregation in King County. The first Norwegian church was built by that congregation in 1890. There are now 14 Norwegian congregations and 14 churches, 4 belong to The Norwegian Synod, 4 to The United Church, 3 to The Lutheran Free Church, 2 to The Methodist Church and 1 to the Baptists.
   Information about Norwegians in public positions can be found elsewhere in the book.
   For information about 'Washington Tidende' (that started in 1889) and 'Papagøien', 'Fram', 'Washington Posten' and 'Normanna', all in Seattle as well as 'Konge-Riget', 'Den Ev. Herold' and 'Ebenezer' in Ballard, see the section 'Norwegian-American newspapers and periodicals'.

Snohomish County, Washington
   The Norwegian O. H. Brekhus was the first white man to settle by the Stillaquamish River. In 1858 he came to Utsalady in the company of some Indians but soon after he came here to Sylvana, where he still lives. He is now (in 1905) 79 years old. But the real settlement in this area was not established until 1874-75, as we will see.
   The pioneer O. B. Iversen, who we will besides find among the Norwegians in public office elsewhere in the book, has written, "Norwegians are a roaming people, they can be found almost anywhere in the world. To fight and defeat natural obstacles seems to be a characteristic of them. It is probably the viking blood.
   The first* and - except for the large cities - still the first Norwegian settlement in the State was in the Stillaquamish Valley in Snohomish County. As a government surveyor, I visited this region in 1874.
   I found the land to be fertile - and it was virgin. I bought some of it myself and told some of my friends in Dakota about it. The following year a dozen families came. They also found the land satisfactory and told their friends etc, and as a result the area is now almost overpopulated by almost exclusively Norwegians.
   They found something to struggle with here. Therefore they are probably happy. Some built dikes to keep the sea off the lowlands, others attacked the virgin forest which was also something to take on! Trees 20 to 30 feet in circumference - from a dozen to a half hundred per acre and between them an impenetrable underbrush.
   In the first years all transport was on the water up the river by canoe or rowboat. In many places there were rapids, in others the river was filled with log jams and therefore impassable. Past these jams, paths had to be cut through the forest and the boats skidded overland a half mile or more and goods carried on their backs.
   Several years passed before there were any real roads. It was no child's play to build roads over a landscape that was almost covered with huge fallen trees - many so thick that no saw existing at that time was long enough to cut through them.
   The mail came every now and then when someone fetched it from Utsalady, a half or whole day's trip depending on whether the weather and river current was favorable - or not.
   But these pioneer days were happy days nevertheless. All were friends an all worked to the common end. After time a priest came. A church was built and around it a small town. Roads opened, the land was cleared, steamboats came up the river, the railroad came. Civilization with its good and evil was here. The wilderness was for the most part gone. The pioneers could now take it easy, at times they could look west with a longing. But that is the ocean."
   Trefoldigheds Congregation, that was established in Stanwood in 1875, was the first Norwegian congregation in Snohomish County - and in Washington State. And the County's (as well as the State's) first Norwegian church by that congregation in 1877. Nehem Christensen was the congregation's first priest. Chr. Jørgensen came to Stillaquamish as his helper as early as 1878. Christensen went back to the East for a time, while Jørgensen served as the only Norwegian Lutheran priest on the Pacific Coast.
   Now there are 15 Norwegian congregations and 11 churches in Snohomish County, 7 belong to The Norwegian Synod, 3 to The Lutheran Free Church, 3 to The United Church and 2 to The Methodist Church.
   In this county there also those Norwegians who took the political path on the Pacific Coast. See the section, 'Norwegians in public positions in America'.
   Norman (Post Office and Railway Station) has obtained its name from the Norwegians.
   *The State's first Norwegian settlers we have though (as previously mentioned) found in Island County.

Whatcom County, Washington
   Anton C. Larson from Trøndelagen was the first Norwegian at Fern. He came there from the vicinity of Fargo, N.D. in the 70s. If anyone else had settled in Whatcom at that time is not known. It seems then that Larson was the county's first Norwegian settler.
   Anders Anderson from Fredrikshald was the first Norwegian to settle among the Indians at Rome, where there is now a small Norwegian settlement. He came there in 1884.
   The County's leading source of income is wheat and cattle raising.
   The first Norwegian congregation in this county was established at Lawrence in 1885 by Pastor Chr. Jørgensen, belonging to The Norwegian Synod. The congregation built the county's first church. Now there are 16 Norwegian congregations and 10 churches, 5 belong to The Norwegian Synod, 4 to The Lutheran Free Church, 3 to The United Church, 2 to the Methodists, 1 to the Baptists and 1 to the Adventists.
   See also, 'Norwegians in public positions in America and 'Norwegians in American wars'.
   Post offices with Norwegian names (in Whatcom County): Everson and Wahl.

Kitsap County, Washington
   Ole Stub from Førde was the first Norwegian settler in this county. He settled at Poulsbo in 1875. Next after him came Fred Landstone, Jørgen Eliassen and J. B. Moe. Adolph Høstmark was the first shopkeeper in Poulsbo.
   There are 8 Norwegian congregations and 4 churches in Kitsap County, 3 belong to The United Church, 3 to The Lutheran Free Church and 2 to The Baptist Church.
   Martha and Maria Orphanage was established in Poulsbo in 1891.
   The newspaper 'Morgenstjernen' was begun at the same place in 1902.
   Norwegian place names in Kitsap County: Breidablik, Poulsbo, Pearson (?) and Vinland.

Clark County, Washington
   Martin Christensen from Vadsø was the first Norwegian settler in Clark County. He settled at La Center in 1875. Potatoes, butter, eggs and fish are the leading items for sale in this settlement.
   E. Hoff from Helgeland was the first in the vicinity of Washougal, where there is also a small Norwegian settlement.
   There are 2 Norwegian churches and 3 congregations, 2 belong to The United Church and 1 to The Methodist Church.

Chelan County, Washington
  The first Norwegian settlers in this county were Anders Mundem from Hardanger and Nils Nelson from Øvrebø near Christiansand. They settled in the vicinity of Leavenworth in 1884. Ellensburg was the first settler's nearest marketplace and to it was ca. 50 miles.

Douglas County, Washington
   The first Norwegian settler in this county was Ole Rud from Ringerike. He came from Iowa and settled at Waterville in 1884. Next after him came Chr. Okland from Tysnes and Haldor and Sam Anderson from Os (which Os is not mentioned). They began at mixed farming. The newcomers' nearest marketplace was Spokane, ca. 150 miles away!
   In the vicinity of Quincy, there is a small Norwegian settlement now. The brothers Ingebrigtsen and a Mr. Odingaard, who came there in 1901, were the first.
   The aforementioned Ole Rud has held office as County Surveyor.
   See also, 'Sammenstilling af norske Sambygdinger i Amerika'

San Juan County, Washington
   At Friday Harbor, where there are a few Norwegians, Benjamin Jensen from Hemnes in Ranen was the first. He settled at that place in 1884. O. Wold is another old settler. Farming and fishing are the Norwegians' main source of income. Much of the fishing is done on the Pacific Coast.
   August Wold was the first Norwegian to hold public office in the county. He was elected County Treasurer in 1896.

Spokane County, Washington
   In the Norwegian settlement at Rockford, Martin Syvertsen from Tromsø was the first. He settled there in 1886.
   The first in the vicinity of Deer Park was John Dahl from Trysil. He came there in 1888.
   That same year the Valdris smith J. O. Loe came and settled in the village of Fairfield, in which neighborhood the Indians lived until that time. It is possible that the Indians' departure was because of Loe. Smiths are strong, muscular fellows that are not to be fooled with since (as we have read somewhere) "der var en gang en by, i byen var en smed, som farlig var naar han blev vred" (Once there was a town, in the town there was a smith, who was dangerous when he became angry).
   The Methodist congregation that was established in Spokane City in 1889 by Pastor C. J. Larsen was the first Norwegian congregation in this county. This congregation built a church the same year, thus this was the first Norwegian church in the county. Now there are 8 congregations and 5 churches, 3 belong to The Norwegian Synod, 2 to The United Church, 2 to the Methodists and 1 to The Lutheran Free Church.
   In the 90s there was a Norwegian newspaper, 'Tidende' published in Spokane.
   Now (1905) The United Church has decided to build a high school in Spokane.

Skamania County, Washington
  The first Norwegian settler in this county was John Kanikkeberg from Hardanger. He settled in Home Valley, where there is a small Norwegian settlement, at the end of the 80s.
   A Norwegian congregation was established there in 1891 by Pastor Peder Tangjerd, belonging to The United Church.
   There was once a post office called Nilsen in Skamania County.

Chehalis County, Washington
   In Aberdeen, where a number of Norwegians live, Nils H. Hansen from Fredrikshald was the first or at least one of the first. He settled there in 1889. Captain Knudsen from Christiansand and T. Thompson also belong to the pioneers in Aberdeen. At South Bend there are similarly, a number of Norwegians.
   There are 4 Norwegian congregations and 2 churches in the county, 3 belong to The United Church and 1 to The Methodist Church. The Methodist congregation, that was established in 1891, was the first. Its church was built the same year (1891).

Stevens County, Washington
   H. O. Berg from Trysil was the first to settle in the vicinity of Clayton where there is a small Norwegian settlement. He came there in 1889. Next after him came Paul Olsen, also from Trysil, as well as Martin Olsen, Ole Nelson and Martin Iversen.
   Pastor T. H. Tønnesen of The Norwegian Synod established a congregation at that place in 1891. This (Trysil) congregation built a church in 1902. It is to be hoped that the congregation will not allow itself to be split.

Clallam County, Washington
   The Norwegian settlement in the vicinity of Swan, Royal and Ozette Post Offices was established in the 90s.
   The Alaska-farer Severin O. Jerstad, who lived in this county, writes, "The first Norwegians had to withstand many hardships. It was truly not easy to come to this thick primeval forest far from any steamship landing and far from any railroads. Everything had to be carried on their backs - for 10 to 25 miles and it took many days. At nights they had to sleep outside - often soaked to the skin."
   There are three Norwegian congregations in this county, all belonging to The United Church.
   The first Norwegian to hold public office here was Hans J. Bugge of Port Williams. He was elected Commissioner in 1904.

Jefferson County, Washington
   In and around Port Townsend there are a number of Norwegians. There are also two Norwegian congregations, one belongs to The United Church and the other to the Methodists.
   In the vicinity of Nordland Post Office there are a number of Norwegians, which one can conclude from the name of the post office. They also have a congregation there.

Mason County, Washington
   There are some Norwegians in this county also and a couple of them have held political office. See the section,  'Norwegians in public positions in America'   

Yakima County, Washington
   In 1895, a Norwegian settlement was established in the vicinity of Prosser. The first there was Martin H. Strandvold from Trysil, Østredalen. Next after him came M. M. Strandvold, Olaf Strandvold and Harald Strandvold as well as Ole Grambo and Henry Hansen. As far as is known all the here mentioned are from Trysil. Mixed farming is the settlement's main source of income.
   In Yakima County there is a post office with the name Wenas but whether that is Wenaas in Norway it gets its name from is not known.
   As one sees, most Norwegian settlements in Washington are still small but they are growing quickly.

Lincoln County, Washington
   In Davenport, Wilbur and Sherman there are a number of Norwegians. In Wilbur there is a Lutheran congregation that is partly Norwegian and that has for a long time been served by Pastor Lauritz Nissen. It is the same situation in Davenport. Both these congregations belong to The Norwegian Synod, even if not formally.
   The Norwegian John P. Martin of Sherman has been County Commissioner.

Whiteman* County, Washington
   At Hay there is a small Norwegian settlement. And a congregation was established there in 1902. Pastor Iver Andreassen of United Church was its first priest. This (Selbu) congregation built a church in 1904. It now belongs to Hauge's Synod.
   At La Crosse there are also a number of Norwegians. This settlement was established in 1900 by the author Elias Molee, whose parents came from Tinn, Telemarken. The next settlers at La Crosse were Peder and Jørgen Wigen from Selbu and Alex Hoyen from Hardanger.
*An original misspelling of Whitman. OK


Assotin* County, Washington
   Rolf Aune from Ørkedalsøren was the first Norwegian settler in the vicinity of Clarkston, where there are  now a few countrymen. He came there in 1898. This little settlement lies by the Snake River on the Idaho border and not far from Lewiston.
   There is a post office called Hanson Ferry where it is possible for Norwegians to cross the river. That tells, at least, that the ferry's owner is a Norwegian, something the name also suggests.
*Name was changed to Asotin in 1883. OK


Kittitas County, Washington
   There are some Norwegians in and around Ellensburg. And Pastor M. H. Kittelson of the Lutheran Free Church has begun his work among them.

Cowlitz County, Washington
   At Kelso there is a small Norwegian settlement and a congregation belonging to The Norwegian Synod.
   Also in these counties (where Norwegians are few in number) one will find represented in 'Sammenstilling af norske sambygdinger i Amerika'.

Thurston County, Washington
   In this county there was once a post office called Ramstad. But there is no Norwegian settlement and never has there been such. There are only some scattered countrymen.

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