Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - IV. Future Hopes—Farm Life—Norwegian Pioneers—The Condition of the Immigrant at the Beginning of the Fifties—Religious Meetings—The Growth of the Settlement—Vasa Township Organized—A Lutheran Church Established—My Wedding—Speculation—The Crisis of 1857—Study of Law in Red Wing—I am admitted to the Bar and elected County Auditor—Politics in 1860—War is Imminent
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ss Story of an Emigrant.
102
laid out legally, and a district organization perfected. A
school district was formed and soon after an election
precinct, and as I was the only person who was master of the
English language the duty of attending to all tlie.se things
devolved upon me. We were particularly fortunate in
having many men, not only of good education from the old
country, but of excellent character, pluck and energy, men
who would have been leaders in their communities if they
had remained at home, and who became prominent as soon
as they had mastered the English language. This fact,
perhaps, gave a higher tone and character to our little
community than is common in such cases, and Yasa has since
that time furnished many able men in the county offices, in
the legislative halls, and in business and educational circles.
There can be much refinement and grace even in a log cabin
on the wild prairie.
In the beginning of the month of September, 1855, Rev. E.
Norelius visited the settlement and organized a Lutheran
church.
Thirty-five years have elapsed since that time, and
many of those who belonged to the first church at Yasa now
rest in mother earth close by the present stately church
edifice, which still belongs to the same congregation, and is
situated only a short distance from the place where the
latter was organized. Rev. Norelius himself lives only a few
hundred yards from the church building. Thirty-five years
have changed the then cheerful, hopeful young man into a
veteran, crowned with honor, and full of wisdom and
experience. His beneficent influence on the Swedes of
Goodhue county and of the whole Northwest will make his name
dear to coming generations of our people.
On November 23d, in the same fall, the first wedding took
place in our settlement. The author of these memories was
joined in matrimony to Miss Cherstin Peterson, from
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