The town of Miller embraces Township 34, Range 5; it is nearly all prairie,
and is settled mostly by emigrants from Norway. The settlements commenced in
1834. It has no railroad, but the town is populous and wealthy.
Cling Pierson, a native of Norway, came to the United States in 1822; in 1824 he
returned to his native place and gave a glowing account of the Western world,
and through his representations and efforts, the first Norwegian colony
emigrated and settled in Orleans County. New York, in 1825. In 1834, Pierson
again led a portion of his countrymen from New York to La Salle County, who
settled in what is now the towns of Miller and Mission. Cling seems to have been
a restless, roving spirit, and might under favorable circumstances have achieved
fame as an explorer. He led the way in the settlement of his countrymen on
American soil, and thousands of the natives of Norway and their descendants now
occupying happy and luxurious homes in this Western valley, owe their present
status in part, at least, to the lead and efforts of Cling Pierson.
It seems lie could not rest while there were other lands to explore; he removed
to Texas, and died there.
Oliver Canuteson, one of the first company from Norway to New York, in 1825.
Came to Illinois in 1834: — died in 1850. He left two sons and one daughter. One
son died in the army in 1863.
Mils Thompson came from Norway to New York in 1825; came here in 1834 — died
about 1856.
Yerk Hoveland came from Norway to New York in 1825, and to Illinois in 1 834;
died at Ottawa in 1870.
Oliver Knuteson came from Norway to New York in 1825, and to Illinois in 1834;
died in 1848, leaving four children.
Christian Oleson, from Norway, in 1825, and came to Illinois in 1834; died in
1858, leaving three children.
Torson Oleson, from Norway, in 1825, and came to Illinois in 1834; went to
Wisconsin.
Ova Rostal, and wife. Miss Jacobs, from Norway in 1825, and came to Illinois in
1835; now in Iowa.
Daniel Rostal, brother to Ova, and wife, came at the same time; died in 1860.
John Rostal, brother of above, came at the same time from Norway and New York;
here now; mar ried Miss Pierson, and settled on Section 3; has five children.
The first colony of Norwegians, who came in 1834, settled mostly in what is now
the northwest part of Miller, and the southwest part of Mission, and was for a
long time known as the Norwegian settlement.
George Johnson, one of the first from Norway, came here in 1834; died in 1846;
had four children.
Tortal H. Erickson, from Norway to Ottawa in 1837, to Rutland in 1840, then to
California and Australia, and back to Miller in 1866; married Helen Pierson; has
eight children.
Nels Nelson, from Norway to New York in 1825, and came to Illinois in 1836; has
seven children.
Austin Baker came in 1839; died in Minnesota.
Canute Williamson came from Norway to Illinois in 1838; living here now.
Nels Frewlin came from Norway to Illinois in 1839; now here.
Ole Oleson, one of the fifty-two that embarked in the little sloop, in 1825,
came to Illinois in 1834.
All who came from Norway in 1825, were passengers in the famous sloop.
Canute Olson came from Norway to Illinois in 1836; died in 1846.
Lars Brenson came from Norway to Illinois in 1836.
Nels Nelson, the older, from Norway in 1825, in the sloop, came to Illinois in
1835, purchased a farm, and moved his family in 1846.
Andrew Anderson, from Norway to New York in 1836, and came to Illinois in 1838,
with his wife, Olena Nelson; he died of cholera in 1849. His widow died in 1875.
The children were two sons and two daughters.
Ener Anderson came with his father; he married Margaret Gunnison, and settled on
S. 16, T. 34, R. 5; has had eleven children; eight are still living.
Andrew, Jr., also came with his father; has several children now living in
Ottawa; Susan, married John Hill; Elizabeth, married Henry Doggett.
Lars Nelson came from Norway to Illinois in 1838; died in 1847.
Henry Sibley came from Norway in 1838; went to Salt Lake.
Lars B. Olson came from New York in 1837.
Michael Olson came from Norway to Illinois in 1839; died in 1877.
David W. Conard settled on Section 30. His first wife was Miss Debolt; second
wife. Miss Grove.
Extracted from 1877 History of La Salle County Illinois, pages 458-461.
| Lee | DeKalb | Kane |
| Bureau |
 |
Kendall |
| Putnam | Grundy | |
| Marshall | Woodford | Livingston |
