The rough landscape and surrounding sea inspired young Rölvaag as he dreamed of becoming a poet. As a boy, Rölvaag read books he obtained by walking several miles to use libraries that served the fishing community.
Rölvaag's formal schooling ran for nine weeks a year over seven years. His education ended when he turned fourteen and joined a fishing fleet. Attracted by opportunities in the United States that were described by immigrants in letters and during their visits back to Norway, Rölvaag wrote several letters to an uncle who had immigrated to South Dakota, asking for his help so he could go to America. His opportunity to travel to America came at about the same time he was offered the position of captain of his own boat in a fishing fleet. The twenty-year-old Rölvaag boarded a boat for New York.
Returns to School
Rölvaag traveled to Elk Point, South Dakota, where he worked on his uncle's farm, but he found it as difficult and dreary as his life as a fisherman. Encouraged by a local pastor to continue his schooling, Rölvaag left his farm job in November 1898 and traveled to Minnesota. He entered Augustana Academy in Canton, Minnesota, and changed his last name from Pedersen to Rölvaag, the name of the cove near the village where he was born.
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