Norton County was first settled by
Civil War veterans in the early 1870s and the population was relatively
diversified. Most of the early settlers were of Scotch, English,
or Irish background and probably at least, second or third generation
Americans. Within the next few years German Catholics did settle
around New Almelo in the southwestern corner of the county, probably
due to the presence of a Catholic church. However, the church
had been started by Canadian immigrants, some of whom were of
French ancestry. A former New Almelo priest who wrote a brief
history of the parish in the early 20th century called it "the
French community." Today, though, you would be hard pressed
to find any signs of French influence there.
In southeastern Decatur County a sizable
number of Czech immigrants settled around Jennings and some lived
near the Norton-Decatur county line in the Clayton vicinity. Some
attended the Catholic church in New Almelo. On the western border
of Philips County, a number of Dutch settlers settled in and near
Prairie View with some living in eastern Norton County. Norton
built a large Catholic church, but also boasted Methodist, Lutheran,
Christian, and Episcopalian churches offering further evidence
of diversity. There were also settlers that were of Irish ancestry
who settled in this county. Rockwell City was founded by the Dunkard
Brethren.
German Lutherans settled about 10 miles
northwest of Norton and organized a church in April 1907. The
church is connected with the Missouri Synod of the Lutheran Church.
Contact Us:
Norton County Historical Society
& Museum
P.O. Box 303
Norton, KS 67654
(785) 877-2763
e-mail:
bullock1@ruraltel.net
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