Near Garretson in Minnehaha County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Eleven Original Pioneer Families

October 8, 2022

1. Eleven Original Pioneer Families Marker

Inscription.
Within short distance of this hill of peace eleven original pioneer families came in 1873 to claim the land and to give us birth

Johannes E. Berdahl · Mrs. Lars Brandvold · C. O. Henjum · Synneve Henjum · Thor Hermanson · Olaus Jenson · Johannes Loftesness · Mrs. Margaret Powers · Allen Powers · John Powers · Herman Wangsness · William Tobin

Placed by their descendants August 4, 1973
To the glory of God and thanks for their lives
The Eleven Covered Wagon Centennial Committee

Erected 1973 by the Eleven Covered Wagon Centennial Committee, descendants of the eleven original pioneer families.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 43° 43.909′ N, 96° 35.387′ W. Marker is near Garretson, South Dakota, in Minnehaha County. It can be reached from 252nd Street east of 481st Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Located in Norway Lutheran Cemetery in rural Garretson. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Garretson SD 57030, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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this marker is in South Dakota’s Yankton Sioux Tribe,

in East River,

and in Greater Sioux Falls.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Norway Lutheran Church (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Norway Lutheran Church (a few steps from this marker); St. Paulus Lutheran (approx. 2 miles away); Garretson (approx. 4.4 miles away); Festival of Progress (approx. 4½ miles away); Village of Palisades (approx. 4½ miles away); Palisades State Park (approx. 4.6 miles away); 1908 Palisades Bridge (approx. 4.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Garretson.

Also see . . .
1. Find-a-Grave Memorial for Johannes Loftesness, one of Eleven Pioneers. Pioneer was born in Sogn og Fjordane fylke,

Eleven Original Pioneer Families Marker in Norway Lutheran Cemetery image. Click for full size.

October 8, 2022

2. Eleven Original Pioneer Families Marker in Norway Lutheran Cemetery

Norway.

Johannes Loftesnes (Loftesness) born 4 August 1822 in Sogndal, Sogn Norway. Britha Loftesness (maiden name Henjum) born 27 September 1833 in Leikanger, Sogn Norway. Johannes and Britha were married on 19 May 1855 and lived in their native country until the year 1864, immigrated to America and came to Wisconsin, where they resided for two years. For the next seven years, they resided in Fillmore County, Minnesota.

In 1873, they relocated to Minnehaha County, South Dakota where they took part in the Homestead

(Submitted on May 10, 2025, by Luci j Baker Johnson of Seattle, Washington.)

2. Find-a-grave memorial for Herman Wangsness, one of the eleven. Herman was born in Leikanger kommune, Sogn og Fjordane fylke, Norway. (Submitted on May 10, 2025, by Luci j Baker Johnson of Seattle, Washington.)

3. Find-a-grave memorial for Johannes Berdahl, one of the Eleven. Johannes Eriksen Berdahl, married in 1848 to Kristi Andersdtatter Henjum immigrated in 1856 from the Jordal gard at Sjostrand, Leikanger kommune. Kristi was born on the Henjum gard at Sjostrand. After reaching New York, they continued on to Winneshiek

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Co., Iowa, and located in the northern part of the Big Canoe Norwegian settlement north of Decorah. They lived there for 4 years and worked for local farmers. Daughter Martha Berdahl, was born in the Big Canoe settlement. (Submitted on May 10, 2025, by Luci j Baker Johnson of Seattle, Washington.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 24, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 21, 2022. This page has been viewed 476 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 21, 2022.