Norfolk began in the spring of 1866, when a close-knit group of German Lutherans left Ixonia, Wisconsin, and traveled to the banks of the North Fork of the Elkhorn River in what was then Nebraska Territory. They arrived in mid-July and claimed land along the river. They were later joined by their minister, Reverend Heckendorf, and established St. Paul's Lutheran Church. In 1868 the community received a post office, and Civil War veteran August Raasch became the first postmaster. In 1869 Col. Charles Mathewson, also a Civil War veteran, built a flour mill on the river that began operating in 1870. It was powered by a dam at this location. The grist mill, a saw mill, Mathewson's home, and a general store formed the nucleus of the hamlet of Norfolk. As more settlers arrived, the county board incorporated the village of Norfolk on September 12, 1881, in response to a petition signed by 103 residents. In 1886, with a population exceeding 1,000, Norfolk became a city of the second class. Herman Gerecke was elected the first mayor.