Hamilton in Hamilton County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Elise Waerenskjold

(Home 3 Blocks W; Grave 6 Blocks NW)

Photographed By James Hulse, June 16, 2021

1. Elise Waerenskjold Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Influential early promoter of Norwegian emigration to Texas; born Elise Tvede in 1815.

In 1846, after John Reiersen migrated to Texas to found the first Norwegian settlement in the state, she became editor of his periodical "Norway and Texas". Through her articles, many were inspired to move here.

In 1847 she, too, moved to Texas and resided in both Van Zandt County and Hamilton County. She married Wilhelm Waerenskjold. Often they welcomed grateful newcomers into their homes.

Here she helped preserve the history of her people. Died 1895.

Erected 1968 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 5700.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1815.

Location. 31° 42.235′ N, 98° 7.417′ W. Marker is in Hamilton, Texas, in Hamilton County. Marker is at the intersection of North Rice Street (U.S. 281) and East Main Street (State Highway 36), on the right when traveling north on North Rice Street. The marker

The Elise Waerenskjold Marker in front of the courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, June 16, 2021

2. The Elise Waerenskjold Marker in front of the courthouse

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is located on the southwest corner of the Hamilton County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 North Rice Street, Hamilton TX 76531, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ann Whitney (here, next to this marker); Hamilton County Courthouse (here, next to this marker); Lest We Forget (within shouting distance of this marker); Rice Building (within shouting distance of this marker); James Drugstore (within shouting distance of this marker); Rice-Eidson Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Hamilton Bank and Trust Company (within shouting distance of this marker); Eidson-Rice Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hamilton.

Also see . . . Norwegians.

Most Norwegians who came to Texas were from the rural areas of Norway and became farmers in their new homeland. Norwegian settlement in Texas was never as large as that of several other European groups, the census of 1860 listing only 326 persons of Norwegian birth then in Texas. Those Norwegians who did come were seeking economic and social betterment. The first known settler, Johannes Nordboe, was in his seventies when he came to Texas to live with his wife and three sons on a farm a short distance from Dallas in 1841. In 1845 Johan Reinert Reiersen had land for his colony surveyed several
Photographed By James Hulse, June 16, 2021

3. The Elise Waerenskjold Marker is the marker on the right of the two markers
miles west of the Neches River in Henderson County. Source: The Handbook of Texas

(Submitted on June 20, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Hamilton County Courthouse image. Click for full size.

Photographed By James Hulse, June 16, 2021

4. Hamilton County Courthouse

Credits. This page was last revised on June 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 109 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 20, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 4. submitted on June 21, 2021, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.