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Scandinavia is a northern European region that consists of three countries: Sweden, Norway, and Denmark. The area is characterized by a shared cultural, historical, and linguistic heritage. The term "Nordic countries" is often used to encompass Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and the Faroe Islands. There is some debate about exactly which countries are included in Scandinavia, but all the places mentioned above are considered Nordic.
The first wave of Scandinavian immigration to Minnesota began around 1850. They were driven to emigrate due to overpopulation, unfulfilled nationalism, a fractured economy, and lack of farm and work opportunities. By 1900, Scandinavians made up nearly half of Minnesota's population, with Swedes and Norwegians numbering in the hundreds of thousands.
Many Scandinavian families ended up settling in Lyon County in the latter half of the 19th century. Township names in Lyon County like Eidsvold, Nordland, Vallers, and Westerheim reflect the early Scandinavian immigrants. Below is the story of Enok and Anne Sole, Norwegian immigrants, who made Lyon County home.
Enok Erikson Sole was born in Stavanger, Norway on April 21, 1856. In September of 1881, he moved to the United States, and he became a naturalized citizen on June 12, 1897. On March 12, 1883, Enok married Anne Johanne Pedersdatter Vigdal in Granite Falls. Anne was from Norway as well. She passed away on May 13, 1892. They had five children: Petra, Clara, Elmer, Ludvig, and Anne who passed away in infancy in July 1892.
The family lived in Marshall, and Enok worked as a millwright and carpenter. He passed away on June 16, 1938 and is buried next to his wife Anne in the Marshall Cemetery. Pallbearers at Enok's funeral were Gus Johnson, Axel Bladholm, Roe Wetherbee, Leslie Gillette, Frank Plantz, and Clarence Shaver.
Join us on Monday at 1:30 p.m. for our monthly Genealogy Club meeting. Sarah Lockwood will be presenting on "Introduction to Scandinavian Digital Archives." About the program: learn about the digital archives of Norway, Sweden and Denmark. They have rich resources, but can be frustrating to navigate. This presentation will share tips to help you with your learning curve. Free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.
The photograph featured this week from the Lyon County Museum's collection is a cabinet photograph taken by Miller's Studio in Marshall. They are Enok and Anne Sole's children: Petra, Clara, Elmer, and Ludvig. The photograph was taken around 1893.
The Lyon County Historical Society (LCHS) is a nonprofit, member-supported organization. LCHS operates the Lyon County Museum at 301 West Lyon Street in Marshall. The Lyon County Museum is open year-round to visitors. To contact us, visit our website: www.lyoncomuseum.org, call: 507-537-6580, email: director@lyoncomuseum.org, or on our Facebook page.