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at first were permitted to crowd in was due to the indolence
and jealousies among the Swedes because of the supposed
advantages enjoyed by the first settlers; therefore Vasa could have
neither land or favorable location for the greater part of the
immigrants, as they claimed all kinds of privileges. Many were
disappointed with what they got, but when they came back later
they had to pay a good price to the banks and others for bare
prairie land, receiving none of the advantages that were offered
them at first.
In the meanwhile I, and especially Mattson, wasted much
time with these swarms of fortune seekers, who did not know
what they wanted. In the summer of 1855 a house of prayer
was built, which later was used both as a church and as a
school house.
The first religious service was held on the open prairie near
the place where the big church now stands. Mattson read a
sermon, after which we all joined in a Swedish hymn and prayer.
The first settlers had their main profits from the newly-
arrived immigrants, to whom they sold their products of potatoes,
beans, and hay at high prices, for in this respect they had elastic
consciences.
The first fire befell Niclas Peterson, whose shanty in my
neighborhood was burned.
The first death was that of a young man from Småland, and
the second was that of Anders Månson’s wife, who froze to death
on the prairie and was buried on Willard’s farm.
The first couple to get married was Hans Mattson and
Kjersti Peterson; this was in the winter of 1856. The first school
in the English language was opened in the fall of the same year
with Mr. Button as the first school-master. On September 3
of this year a Lutheran congregation was organized by Rev. E.
Norelius, who also became the first pastor. The settlement Vasa
received its name when the congregation was organized; it was
named after Sweden’s great king, Gustaf Vasa.
The first justice of the peace was S. J. Willard.
The first constable was C. Roos.
The first election was held at Duyler’s in Belle Creek, when a
speaker for the Republican party was refuted in his arguments
by a somersault by Fischer, the Democrat. On this occasion
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