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1859, Six wagons of Norwegians pioneers set out from Stoughton, Wisconsin (Koshkonong) for Dakota. This was two years before Dakota Territory was established. This would become South Dakota. Because of a lack of trees, it was 1860 and 1861 before many more Norwegians went there. Then the Sioux wars slowed settling. Pioneer minister, Abraham Jacobsen, visited the Dakota settlements in the fall of 1861, traveling from Decorah with a party of eight Norwegians. Qualey, Norwegian Settlement in the United States, p. 132. Also see Qualey, Norwegian Settlement in the United States, p. 140.
1860, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa have 55,000 Norwegians, 68 percent born in Norway. Only about 50 had a university education. Of Norwegians who sought citizenship, 37.6% could not write their names. Dakota has only 129 Norwegians.
1861, Dakota becomes a Territory (out of Nebraska and Minnesota) but the Indian wars stop penetration for several years. Qualey, Norwegian Settlement in the United States, p. 132. Also Norlie, The History of the Norwegian People in America, p. 186.
1866, June 4, The first real settlement occurs in Minnehaha County, SD. John Thompson and Jonas Nelsen Fosmo took land near Sioux Falls. By 1870 there were 68 Norwegians in the county. Qualey, Norwegian Settlement in the United States, p. 143. Also see Oien, Minnehaha County's Norwegian Pioneers, p. 10.
1868, Telemarkings came to Minnehaha County, S. D. this year. The first were Andreas Hogstad and Halvor O. Ustrud of Goodhue County. Then came two families from Winneschiek County, Iowa. They were Iver Bersheim and his two sons, Thomas and Ole. They were of Hardanger lineage. Then came Ole and Soren Bergeson from Winneschiek, originally of Hedmarken. Also, in June of the year the first Tellers appeared at Canton, a caravan of 22 wagons besides other freight wagons, all from Eastern Iowa. Oien, Minnehaha County's Norwegian Pioneers, p. 17 and 109.
1871, The first settlers came to Sioux Falls, SD. Lars Simonson was a Tellemarken. It was at the Coulton settlement (Toapi and Grand Meadow townships). Oien, Minnehaha County's Norwegian Pioneers, p. 19.
It was also in the Coulton settlement (southern Toapi and Northern Grand Meadow) that the Telemarkens were most numerous. Charles T. Austin (Kaase) was the leader there. Oien, Minnehaha County's Norwegian Pioneers, p. 21.
1873, Paster O. O. Sandro comes to the Nidaros Congregation in Minnehaha County. Oien, Minnehaha County's Norwegian Pioneers, p. 159.
1874, Many people traveled west from Winneshiek County, Iowa and Fillmore County, MN to the southwest corner of MN, Rock County, and to Minnehaha County, Dakota Territory.
1889, Dakota Territory becomes the states of North and South Dakota. Blegen, The American Transition, p. 505. Also Norlie, The History of the Norwegian People in America, p. 186.
Ole Rolvaag wrote about the journey from Fillmore County to Dakota Country in his masterpiece "Giants in the Earth". This short piece about prairie schooners heading west is very descriptive and a must read.
