What was the Norwegian National League doing 100 years ago?
The Norwegian National League
By Andrew Hummeland
(Det Norske- Nationalforbund i Chicago) is a central
delegate organization, formed by Norwegian societies, clubs and lodges of
Chicago as their joint organ in matters of common interest. It is composed of
two delegates, elected respectively for one and two years, from such Norwegian
societies in Chicago as desire representation. Twenty-five organizations, being
the principal Norwegian societies of the city, are now represented.
The league is strictly non-sectarian and nonpolitical. The
main thought in founding it was the establishment of a central organization,
representative of the Norwegians of Chicago, prepared and equipped to take the
initiative and undertake the management when joint action on part of the
Norwegians of Chicago in matters of interest to our nationality would seem
necessary or desirable. The aim is to make the league as representative of our
people as possible. To that end every Norwegian society or organization having
a membership of at least twenty may send delegates. It has also been the policy
of the league to secure the co-operation of such of our Norwegian citizens as
are not represented in the various Norwegian organizations, by including on its
committees for special national undertakings representative
Norwegian-Americans' not directly affiliated with the league.
The league was formed in 1899. On June 26 in that year
delegates from twenty-three Norwegian societies met in response to a call
issued by a number of representative men, among whom were Dr. Karl F. M.
Sandberg, Birger Osland, L. Johansen, Julius Jæger and Ferdinand Nelson. The
desirability of, and necessity for, a central organization had long been
recognized. It was felt that many occasions would arise, as they had arisen in
the past, calling for joint action by all Norwegians in Chicago in matters of
common interest. The existence of a central body, which when occasion should
arise might serve as the framework for a strong and active organization ready
and capable of doing effective work when concerted action is desirable, would
tend to unify Norwegian-Americans and, give prestige and strength to common
interests and undertakings. With this in view the league was formed. The
organization was completed at a meeting held
The league was founded by the following Norwegian societies:
-The First Norwegian Women’s Burial Society; the women’s societies “Thora” and
“Minde”; the Norwegian Women’s Industrial Society; Nora Lodge R. H. K.; the
Tabitha Hospital Society; North Star Lodge 137, I. O. M. A.; the Norwegian
Singers’ Society; Singing Society Bjørgvin; Nordfælles Supreme Lodge; the
Norwegian Turners’ Society; the sick-benefit society “Nordlyset”; the Norwegian
Club; the Norwegian Quartet Club; Leif Erickson Lodge No. 9, R. H. K; the
society “Nordlændingen”; “TordenskjoId” Lodge No. 15, R. H. K.; Leif Erickson Monument Society; Athletic
Club “Sleipner”; the Scandinavian-American Prohibition Club; Court I. O. F.
Normania No. 174 I. O. F.; the
Norwegian Sharp Shooters’ Society; the Norwegian Old Settlers’ Society; Normania
Band; the Norwegian Glee Club; Dovre Lodge No. 18, R. H. K.; the Scandinavian
Painters’ Union; Scandia Lodge No. 80 K. of P.; and the Scandinavian
Shoemakers’ Society.
The league was
incorporated under the laws of Illinois on Sept 4th, 1899.
Within a few months after It’s
organization proof was strikingly afforded of the utility of the organization.
In the fall of 1899, in a fearful storm, 173 Norwegian fishermen lost their
lives at Røvær, Norway, bringing distress and want into as many homes. The
situation of the widows and orphans called for immediate relief from kinsmen on
both sides of the sea. The league was found… equipped and ready to take hold of
the matter so far as Chicago Norwegians were concerned. At a meeting of the
league on December 3., 1899, it was decided to render aid, and a committee was
appointed to arrange a benefit entertainment and concert at the Auditorium,
which was held on December 20, with the result that the net proceeds thereof,
amounting to $1,100, were sent to the proper local authorities in Norway for
distribution.
On many other occasions the league has rendered its
financial assistance to alleviate distress as well as in aid of Norwegian
charitable institutions. Among its contributions may be mentioned: To the
Norwegian Tabitha Hospital in
As part of the purpose of its
organization, as declared in its constitution, the league has for years
undertaken the arrangement for the celebration of the 17th of May in
Among other undertakings of the league may be mentioned: A
series of lectures given in the spring of 1904 with a view to encouraging
interest in Norwegian literature; the giving of summer festivals in 1902 and
1903 -- discontinued in later years as more properly coming within the province
of the individual societies; and the reception in 1905, conjointly with the
Norwegian Singers’ League, of the Norwegian student singers.
The
crisis in 1905 in Norway found the league fully prepared to do whatever would
seem necessary or advisable in aid of the cause. A great mass-meeting was
arranged at the Auditorium in Chicago by the league within ten days after the
famous 7th of June resolution, at which meeting, the Norwegians of Chicago
pledged their support to the old fatherland, if support was needed. A stirring
address of congratulation, with the assurance of material aid if it became
necessary, was adopted at the meeting and cabled to the Norwegian government
and Storthing. When the situation later threatened to become acute, the
Norwegian National League took steps to redeem its pledges of material aid, and at a closed meeting appointed a central committee
of representative men to form a relief organization designed to embrace the
entire country. This committee was composed of the following
Norwegian-Americans: A. Anderson, John Anderson, C. J. Backer, F.
Ferdinandsen, Ommund Harveland, A. Hummeland, Rev. A. Johnson, Marius Kirkeby,
Hans Nordahl, H. P. G. Norstrand, O. C. S. Olsen, A. Opstad, Birger Osland, Paul
O. Stensland and John
A. Wold. The venerable John Anderson, publisher of the Skandinaven,
was elected its chairman, Paul O. Stensland its treasurer, and Birger Osland
its secretary. Owing to their position as citizens of another country, and in
order to cause no unnecessary irritation among fellow-citizens, the members of
the committee unanimously decided to take no public action until demanded by
the situation, although it was held a sacred right to all American citizens of
foreign birth or extraction, and clearly permissible under international. law, to render aid to the non-combatants and widows and
orphans of the land of their fathers, in case of eventual hostilities. However,
the organization was fully completed in a discreet manner, and preparations
made to organize branches throughout the United States, at a moment’s notice.
To
convey its congratulations to the New Norway the league appointed a delegation
to attend, the coronation celebration at Trondhjem in 1906, which was cordially
and courteously received by the king and authorities of Norway.
The names of the officers of the league from its
organization to the present time are as follows:
President, 1899-1901, Dr. K. F. M. Sandberg;
1902, C. H. Lee; 1903-4, A. Hummeland; 1905, Ommund Harveland; 1906, A.
Abrahamsen.
First vice-president, 1899, L. Johanson;
1900, Olaf Ray; 1901, Mrs. E. Brown; 1902, J. M. Blackstad; 1903-1904, O.
Harveland, 1905-1906, A. Anderson. .
Second vice-president, 1899, Mrs. M.
Monsen; 1900, Peder Olsen; 1901, F. Ferdinandsen; 1902, Mrs. E. Brown;
1903-1904.
Mrs. K. M. Hagland; 1905, Mrs. Valborg Lund; 1906, Mrs. K. M.
Hagland.
Third vice-president, 1899, Julius Jæger;
1900, Mrs. Elise.
Brown; 1901, J. M. Blackstad; 1902, Gus. G. Martin;
1903-1904, F. Ferdinandsen; 1905, John A. Wold; 1906, Carl Bauer.
Corresponding secretary, 1899, F. Nelson;
1900.
K. Drolsum; 1901, L. H. Stehnson; 1902, K. M. Hagland; 1903-1904, Ben Blessum;
1905, F. Asche; 1906, John Malmstrom.
Recording secretary, 1899, B. Osland;
1900, F. Asche; 1901, A. B. Lange; 1902, Chas. Nergaard; 1903, Gus G. Martin;
1904-1905, O. J. Backer; 1906, Albert Johnson, resigned, H. Jentoft.
Treasurer. 1899,
C. H. Lee; 1900, P. Balken; 1901, C. H. Lee; 1902, F. Ferdinandsen; 1903, H. B.
Hanson; 1904-1905, O. Gullicksen; 1906, C. J. Backer.
A. E. Strand, A
History of the Norwegians of Illinois (Chicago: J. Anderson, 1905), 201-203.