| CHAPTER HISTORY | |||
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Part
I Derwood Johnson |
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II T. Lauris "Larry" Huse |
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Part
III Geneva Finstad |
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Part IV Betty Tindall |
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Foreword
(to the first Bosque County Chapter Medlemsbok) Many of these settlers became dissatisfied with East Texas because of a combination of health problems, poor land productivity and population growth. By 1852 they were sending scouting parties westward in search of a favorable location for a third settlement. One scouting party crossed the Brazos River near Fort Graham and entered the western part of McLennan County. They were pleased with this area because it was healthful, fertile and scenic. Furthermore, free land was available to those who would occupy it as a homestead. In 1853, Norwegians employed Major George B. Erath to survey homestead sites near Neils Creek and Gary Creek. In 1854 the Texas legislature created Bosque County out of part of McLennan County and in the same year eight families moved from East Texas to establish the Bosque County Norwegian settlement. These were the families of Ole Canuteson, Knud Canuteson, Jens Ringness, Carl Questad, Ole Pierson, Hendrik Dahl, Berger Rogstad and Jens Jenson. Also included were three single men, Cleng Peerson, Ole Ween and Andreas Bretta. During the first thirteen years of its existence, the new settlement experienced a period of slow growth. This is due in large part it its frontier location and exposure to periodic Indian raids. The outbreak of the Civil War halted the westward movement of the frontier until the late 1860s. The last raid occurred March 20, 1867, when Ole T. Nystel was captured by Comanche Indians and carried to Kansas where he was released after three months. Two large groups joined the settlement in 1868 which doubled its population. One group, consisting of twelve families from East Texas, came because of an epidemic in 1867 which claimed the lives of twelve East Texas Norwegians. The other group was a party of 112 immigrants from Hedmark, Norway, organized by Poul Poulson. They arrived at Galveston May 26, 1868, on the ship "Atalanta." The events of 1868 marked the eventual decline of the East Texas settlements and the expansion of the Bosque County settlement. Thereafter, many immigrants continued to arrive until the turn of the century. The Bosque settlement became not only the largest Norwegian settlement in Texas, but also the largest in the South. As members of the Bosque County Chapter of The Norwegian Society of Texas, we have a proud heritage. We are inheritors of the culture of Norway and beneficiaries of the heroic deeds and sacrifices of our pioneer immigrant predecessors. We are not pioneers, but we can be preservers of that heritage. Derwood Johnson |
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In the Fall of 1996, I felt a "calling" (as a Pastor would say) to establish the Bosque County Chapter of the Norwegian Society of Texas. In organizing this Bosque Chapter, I was blessed with strong publicity support by the Clifton Record and good timing. This community and Norwegians with Bosque County roots displayed enthusiastic acceptance of creating a Norwegian Society Chapter, like they had been waiting for this to happen. I was amazed at the large number of volunteers willing to serve on the various committees. Officers were elected and committee chairpersons and members were installed. We received our official Charter from The Norwegian Society of Texas on 18 January 1997. We are off and running. During the year we presented our four major Norsk events: Syttende Mai, Sankthansaften, Leiv Eiriksson Day, and Jultrefest without any prior instructions or rehearsals. Their successes were due to the hard working committees comprised mostly of our women members. And in a most important area, Ruth Shipley and her "Membership and Calling Committee" - all women - were so successful that our Chapter grew to 200 members by the end of the first year! A big highlight of 1997 was the designation of Clifton as "the Norwegian Capital of Texas" by the 75th Texas Legislature. A Proclamation Ceremony was held in the Civic Center on 6 December 1997. Many dignitaries, including Odvar Mosnesset, Consul General of Norway, Houston, hailed this honor for our city. This notoriety lead to "TV 2 Norway" coming to Clifton to film Clifton's mystique. My second term as President in 1998 was just a continuance of 1997. It is easy to delegate to energetic workers. These active contributors to our Chapter made it fun to participate and fulfill our worthwhile purposes: "To preserve our heritage for future generations." Yes, we are responsible and accountable. I am so proud of our Chapter, the successive officers and committee members. T. Lauris "Larry" Huse, President 1997-1998 |
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Highlights of 1999 - Following the first president of Bosque County Chapter was a daunting task no one wanted. Larry Huse's organizational skills and leadership in the fall of 1996 got out chapter established and it soon grew to 200 members. For two successful years Larry served as president and carried out a busy schedule of activities for 1997 and 1998. Officers of 1999 were installed at the Juletrefest Part as follows: Geneva Finstad, President; Owen Ringness, Vice-President; Frances Tergerson, Secretary; Betty Tindall, Treasurer; and Elaine Bakke Bell, Financial Secretary. The first meeting of 1999 was a Valentine Party on February 14th with good attendance, good food, fellowship and games. In April Bosque County Chapter hosted the NST Althing meeting. A full day of activities included a continental breakfast and business meeting at Trinity Lutheran Church, a tour of Bosque Memorial Museum, lunch, more workshops and tour at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church, ending with music and dinner at Three Mountain Retreat. The Lake Whitney Bluebonnet Festival in April was another good opportunity to display our Norwegian heritage, our collage of photos, history book and also publicize our upcoming Sytennde Mai celebration. The weather was perfect for fun in the Park as we celebrated Norwegian Constitution Day on May 15. A large group from the Viking Chapter in Dallas contributed much to the program with music and a Bunad Style Show. Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Rehm of Waco were special guests and received honorary membership in our chapter. Katharine Rehm is a great-great-great-granddaughter of Bishop Hans Jacob Grogarrd, one of the signers of the Norwegian Constitution in 1814. Summer Solstice was celebrated with an old-fashioned picnic at the Questad Place. Next came Septemberfest in Cranfills Gap where we sold cookies and fundraising items and participated with a float in the parade. Leiv Eiriksson Day was hosted by Gap members at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. A Norwegian exchange student, Terj Bui, gave insight to Norway's customs today as did three other members who had toured this summer with a film and pictures. Special projects committee restored the Cleng Peerson Historical marker and it will be relocated in a more prominent place on a main street in Clifton. The third grade students of Clifton had their annual Historical Tour which was hosted by Elaine Bell at Norse and Geneva Finstad at the Rock Church. Bosque County members were very involved in the Norwegian Country Christmas Home Tour on Dec. 4th. They served as greeters, cookie demonstrators, hosts at homes, the museum and as guides for special groups. The chapter also manned a table with information, cookies, flags and fund raising items for sale at the Lutefisk Dinner that evening in Cranfills Gap. After that busy day, members still had enough energy to have a Juletrefest Party the next day. Music, entertainment, installation of officers for 2000 made for a good way to end 1999. |
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Highlights of 2000 - Officers for the year 2000 were Geneva Finstad, President; Tergy Tergerson, Vice-President; Frances Tergerson, Secretary; Betty Tindall, Treasurer; and Elaine Bakke Bell as Financial Secretary. Again the first meeting of the year was a Valentine Party held at Texas-New Mexico Community Room in February. April was a busy month with a Genealogy Workshop and the Althing meeting in Georgetown. Members manned two booths - Norwegian cookies and other baked items at one booth; T-shirts, caps, flags, etc. at a separate table. Music, craft demonstrations, games cultural displays and lectures kept everyone busy and authentic food booths kept our energy up. Everyone had a good time at the Viking Fest. Our Syttende Mai Celebration was held on May 20, a perfect day in Clifton Park. "Ridin' on Faith" gospel group entertained; good hamburgers, drinks and sweets were enjoyed by a large group of members and guests. Flags were waved, door prizes were won, pictures were taken, with a highlight of the day being a certain Viking authentically dressed so everyone wanted a picture with him. A Cleng Peerson look-a-like also attended. A Touch of Norway was a new addition with display of items from Norway. Boy Scouts raised the flag, read a poem and everyone joined in singing the Norwegian Anthem and Blest Be The Tie That Binds to end the day. What fun members had at our "Be a Kid" Summer Solstice program in June. They dressed as they did growing up, brought food they enjoyed as kids, and played games of days gone by. On August 25 a group of 29 departed for a 10 day trip to Norway. It was a dream come true for many of us who have wanted to see the land of our ancestors. Board meetings were held each year in January with officers and committee chairmen. Our chapter has 11 active committees, namely: Genealogy, Historical, Membership, Planning, Newsletter, Refreshments, Restoration, Fund Raising, Public Relations, Rosemaling, and Special Projects. In the closing months of 200 we will again participate in Septemberfest, Leiv Eiriksson Day, the Norwegian Country Christmas Tour and have a Juletrefest Party. As I complete my two year tenure of the daunting task as President, I have found it not daunting but very enjoyable. Thanks to all of you! You have been most generous with your time, your cookie making expertise, and all the other responsibilities asked of you. It is this willingness to get involved which makes our chapter successful. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as President and may we all continue to enjoy, preserve and promote out Norwegian heritage. Mange tusen takk, Geneva Finstad |
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hilsen fra Betty As another year rushes to its close, your president is looking forward to turning the wheel over to a new slate of officers. I can honestly say that the current crew of leaders has been a joy to work with, and that everyone has been most supportive. I have been proud to represent the Bosque County Norwegian Society. Just as Geneva promised, she has been right by my side to assist me any time I have needed her. Ruth Shipley not only knew what needed to be done when, but called me to remind me and to offer help. I truly couldn't have managed without all of you. As my term comes to a close, I'd like to single out a few of you for special commendations. The ladies of the booth, and especially Ruth and Frances Seljos - you have succeeded beyond my wildest dreams! Lauris Huse has spearheaded two remarkable historical markers: the founders of Norse at Our Savior's and the marker at Norse. Our success at last year's Norwegian Country Christmas involved many hours of baking, decorating, and planning by many of you. In addition to Ruth Shipley and Ann Wiland, Janelle Grimland and her committee played a very big hand in its success. Our webmaster, Jan Wallace, created a web page for us that we can truly be proud of: I receive e-mails often from all over the U.S. and even Norway congratulating us. Geneval Finstad, our Pied Piper, led twenty-four of our members up and down Norway this past year. These are just a few of the successes of the past two years, and the glory belongs to these and many more! Tusen takk! So, J.C., Ed, and Joyce, we turn the torch over to you. Two hundred plus pairs of willing hands are ready to follow your inspiration. |
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