Scandinavia, Wisconsin—Township, Village, Church
In some respects, the history of Scandinavia Lutheran Church is a history of Scandinavia, Wisconsin
itself. At one time, the Scandinavia
Depot kept a schedule of three separate railroads thus being a major interchange for rail travel; the
main street had several store fronts, restaurants and hotels; there was a grist mill powered by the small river
that flows through the town; and a community college. It became a community that attracted the early settlers
who stopped here to make Scandinavia their new home. While many people and businesses have
come and gone, throughout the last 160 years, one constant has remained: The Scandinavia Lutheran
Church. What is kind of ironic, many persons, who once made Scandinavia their home and have moved on
in the world; have elected to return, in the end, to the Scandinavia Lutheran Cemetery for their final place
of rest. The area surrounding the community of Scandinavia, Wisconsin had been untouched and unseen by
white men before 1800. Then in the course of 30 years, these lands were occupied by settlers and changed
completely. When settlers came to Wisconsin in the first half of the 19th century, they were not allowed to
move up into this area because it was reserved for the Indians. In 1848, the same year Wisconsin gained
statehood, all that was changed by the “Menomonee-Purchase”. This was a purchase agreement worked
out by the U. Government with the Chiefs of the Indian tribes occupying the area. It included the land in
8 counties and Waupaca County was one of them. In exchange, the tribes received $350,000.00 in cash,
plus 600,000 acres of land in Minnesota. They agreed to move to that area and make that their new home. As soon as this agreement was signed, an immediate influx of settlers and entrepreneurs of all types
arrived. The first white family settled in Waupaca in 1848 and the first white family came to Scandinavia
in 1850. His name was Hans Jacob Eliason from Oksom, Norway. Others followed shortly. Many were
“Yankees” from the east and quite a few were Swiss and German, but the majority were Scandinavians. The Swiss and German settlers had funds with which to start business ventures and buy land, while the
Norwegians had nothing but the clothes on their backs. As immigrants came up from Madison and Oshkosh, they followed Indian trails and other natural
pathways. The present site of Scandinavia was on a major north-south Indian trail which lent itself to early
development of a wagon trail. It was in a wooded valley between a river and a lake and was surrounded by
several large open meadow areas thus creating attractive farm sites. The Norwegian immigrants came in
search of farm land and some wood-lands. When they came to this area and found a river, lake and open
areas, they stopped and became our earliest settlers. The Village and Township, of mostly Norwegian immigrants, received their name in 1853, when it
was necessary to have a name for the records. Eliason wanted it to be called Oksom and others suggested
the name “Danger” in memory of Eidanger, Norway from whence many immigrants had come. It
was pointed out that in English their village name would be pronounced as “danger” and would scare people
away. As a compromise, and in view of the fact that there were three “foreign families” in town,
namely two Danes and a Swede, the name “Scandinavia” was selected. Before and after the area was often
referred to as “Waupaca Settlement”. As part of the Great Seal of the United States, the Latin phrase “E pluribus Unum” is integrated. English translation: “Out of many, One”. As we look back at the history of the United States,
indeed we can say, “Out of many people, One Nation”. In many ways, that same statement could be
said as we look back at the history of the Scandinavia Lutheran Church; many pioneers, became one
congregation. As we dig deeper in the history of this church, we could use the reverse and say, “Out of
One, Many.” Scandinavia Lutheran Church was the Mother congregation that gave birth to many
Daughter congregations. These congregations were a result two reasons, one being growing populations
in these settlements and the other as a result of break-offs because of doctrinal differences. They
include: North New Hope-1865, Amherst-1881, Alban-1878, South New Hope-1880, Hitterdahl-1883,
Nelsonville-1888, Iola-1904, Rosholt-1905, Northland-1908, Farmington-1911, Benson Corner’s-1926. Take a look at a coin in your pocket and you will see, “E PLURIBUS UNUM”, “LIBERTY” and most
importantly, “IN GOD WE TRUST”. Our early founders of our United States of America, and more
specifically, the pioneers of our Church and Community, held these simple, yet powerful, convictions
found on something simple as a coin that is carried in your pocket. This is a Great Nation and we can
thank our early pioneers who made way through the Indian Land, to found our Scandinavia Community
and our Scandinavia Lutheran Church. God’s Blessings to all past, present and future generations
of the Scandinavia Lutheran Church. It isn’t always about history, but more so, going out and telling:
“HIS—STORY”. Since 1911 - Scandinavia and Farmington Lutheran Churches have been a two-point parish. A long history and partnership sharing the Ministry and Love of Jesus Christ.
