Wisconsin is the state of all the states which, historically, is of the greatest interest to the Norwegians. In that state the foundation was laid for the different church societies and those institutions that now stand as monuments to Norwegian enterprise and the self-sacrifice and untiring efforts of the Norwegian-American pioneers.
This article, coming from the long-disbanded Phillips Times of Phillips, Wisconsin, speaks of the achievements and contributions to the state by Norwegian immigrants during the nineteenth century. This gives historians and modern day individuals an idea of how integral Norwegians were to the progression of the state of Wisconsin, but arguably more importantly the positive attitude that early Wisconsinites felt toward Norwegians.
The publication begins by discussing the influx of Norwegian immigrants to Wisconsin and goes on to include details on the immigrants’ positive impact on the state in both the Civil War and politics. It tells about the success of a Civil War regiment called The Fifteenth Wisconsin, which consisted of mostly Norwegians and, “distinguished itself in so many important battles.” In fact, the article states that in the state of Wisconsin; 3,000 Norwegians, 200 Danes, and 100 Swedes joined the Union forces. The writing goes on to tell about Norwegian immigrants’ involvement in politics by naming 8 Wisconsin Norwegians that were elected to state or federal government positions.
Further evidence of Norwegian influence in the state of Wisconsin can be found in the book Norway To America, by author Ingrid Semmingsen, the first female history professor in Norwegian history. She states that both the first Norwegian church and newspaper in America were both founded in the state of Wisconsin, and specifically in the settlement of Muskego, which served as a sort of way station for Norwegians coming to America.
This article was published by an early newspaper, likely with the purpose of informing Wisconsinites about their many Norwegian immigrant neighbors, and possibly even as a form of pro-Norwegian propaganda due to its high praise of the state’s Nordic immigrants. While the article is mostly stating facts about Wisconsin Norwegians, it appears to contain bias towards the support of Norwegian immigrants in the state. The facts are introduced in biased manners and while it is clear that Norwegians were very beneficial to the state, they were likely not perfect citizens and the writer chose to leave out any negative facts about these migrants.
Troy Romstad