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• 1 media/iiif-service_gmd_gmd403_g4033_g4033v_la001155-full-pct_25-0-default.jpg 2022-06-14T14:57:56-07:00 Four Mile Prairie 25 Founded in 1847 by Johan Reiersen. Four Mile Prairie is located in Van Zandt County and became the home to Elise Wærenskjold. google_maps 2022-07-29T08:52:05-07:00 32.4937,-95.8143 Four Mile Prairie is still remembered today is because of its two most famous residents: Johan Reiersen and Elise Wærenskjold. Johan Reiersen was the founder of the settlement, having left Brownsboro in favor of the land at Four Mile Prairie in 1847. At this time, he founded the settlement, where Elise Tvede and J.M.C.W. Wærenskjold would eventually settle and marry. Much of Elise Wærenskjold's writing discusses Four Mile Prairie and the condition of Texas. Eventually, Four Mile Prairie would decline in population following multiple epidemics and the deaths of some settlers. 
  
  "I am living in the Norwegian settlement at Four Mile Prairie in the eastern part of Texas– and have been living here for more than thirty years, and I can truthfully say that my health has been as good as I could expect it to be in only the most wholesome places on our earth. Yet I must admit that the western part of Texas is more healthful than the eastern, and this is the main reason why several families have moved from here to Bosque. Other reasons are that the soil is more fertile and that the Norwegian pastor lives in that settlement. There can be no doubt that the number of Norwegians in Texas, far from decreasing, is increasing with every year… In conclusion I merely wish to add that never, either directly or indirectly, have I profited in the slightest way by praising Texas. I have praised Texas because I found that she should be praised." (Wærenkjold, December 29, 1878)
  
  
  

  Conditions

  Most of the residents of Four Mile Prairie relocated to other states or to the larger settlement in Bosque County. Elise Wærenskjold remained the main resident, famous for her writings defending Texas in Norwegian newspapers. She had no desire to relocate, so she stayed at Four Mile Prairie  despite poor conditions until her death in 1895. Reiersen also stayed here despite himself believing that Bosque County was a better settlement. 
  
  "I am looking forward to being away from Four Mile for a time. All my American friends, with the exception of one family, have left, and the relatives in whom I was most interested, John Skjolden and his wife and five children, have moved to Tyler, where they are much better off than here. It’s really dismal now at Four Mile. Numerous houses are standing empty, much farm land lies uncultivated, fences are down, and orchards partially destroyed. The land in this area has been brought up for speculation by large loan companies, but I think it will prove to be a poor investment." (Wærenkjold, July 7, 1890)
  
  
  
  Sources to explore: 
  The Lady with the Pen: Elise Wærenskjold in Texas by Elise Wærenkjold