My husband's Swedish grandfather settled in Sargent Co., Dakota Territory in 1883. It was prairie land. There were few trees. Lumber was very expensive. The early settlers lived in sod houses.

My husband's Norwegian grandfather was on the 1880 census in Herrick Township, Deuel Co., Dakota Territory.

Was this part of the Dakota Territory also prairie lands or were there trees? Did the early settlers live in sod houses or was wood readily available?

Was the soil rich & fertile? I read somewhere that it was rocky. Is that true?

Thanks in advance.
Judy