US 16th Inf Co H. Residence: Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa. Born 27 Dec 1842 at Hakedalen, Norway, a son of Hans Eriksen and Anne Marie Gulbrandsdatter. Came to America with his parents to Decorah, Iowa, 1853. Civil War: Age 19. Hazel eyes, brown hair, fair complexion, 5’6”. Enlisted for three years on 22 Feb 1862. Private. Private. Took part in battles at Shiloh, Stone’s River, Corinth, Nashville, Chickamauga, and Sherman’s March to the Sea. Wounded in his right hand in May 1864 at Dallas, Georgia. Discharged from the service 21 Feb 1865. Post war: Married Caroline L. Nelson on 24 Jun 1866 at home of Justice of the Peace Burdick, Decorah. Four children. Operated a hardware business. Lived in Decorah until his death 12 Jul 1920 at age 77. Buried in Decorah Lutheran Cemetery. Wife “Carrie” died 27 Mar 1919. Augustus was a brother of Edward Hanson, who served in the same unit and Anton Hanson who also served in the Civil War. Sources: (Letter, Norman Hjelmeland, Des Moines, Iowa. hjelhawks@aol.com) “The Erickson-Hanson Family of Hakedalen, Norway”, by Norman Wayne Hjelmeland, priv. publ. 1984, p33) (DGA) (Ulvestad p288) (Hedberg)
