Civil War Database

This extensive database contains information on the lives and service of Civil War soldiers who were born in Norway.

The data was compiled from research conducted between 1997 and 2003 by Jerry Rosholt, a journalist and later producer for NBC Nightly News. In addition to the database, Rosholt served as guest historian a major exhibition on Norwegians in the Civil War at Vesterheim and authored a companion volume. Ole Goes to War: Men from Norway Who Fought in America’s Civil War, by Jerry Rosholt, is available through Vesterheim’s Museum Store.

Database Sources – a list of sources of the information and explanation of abbreviations listed at the end of the entries.

Abbreviations & Database Clues – includes more information about how to use this database.

Soldiers’ Names – includes more information about rural Norwegian naming customs and the name changes that often occurred after emigration to the United States.

Send additions or edits to the database to info@vesterheim.org.

 

Acknowledgments

Vesterheim’s Norwegians in the Civil War project was made possible through the generous support of Hamlet and Suzanne Peterson, Rochester, Minn., and a grant from Humanities Iowa and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The companion volume Ole Goes to War: Men from Norway Who Fought in America’s Civil War, by Jerry Rosholt, was made possible through a gift from the Government of Norway in honor of Vesterheim’s 125th Anniversary.

We are grateful to The Edwin E. and Janet L. Bryant Foundation of Stoughton, Wisc., for their generous grant in support of the online database.

Additional support for sharing the research of Jerry Rosholt comes from Darlene Rosholt, Gerald R. Sime, Donald and Faye Aamodt, Robert Rosholt, Robert Sande, Dirk Rosholt, Greg Rosholt, and Sons of Norway Nordic 1-502.

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MEHL, Torris

From Kvinherred, Norway. Civil War: Private. Post war: Lived in Lisbon, Illinois. Sources: (Ulvestad p309)

MEHLHORN, John F.

WI 15th Inf Staff. Residence: Beaver Dam, Dodge County, Wisconsin. Civil War: Commissioned 10 Aug 1863. Assistant surgeon. Joined the regiment 21 Sep 1863, but…

MEHUS, Torris

See JOHNSON, Terris
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MEILAM, Peter

WI 17th Inf Co B. Residence: Sterling, Vernon County, Wisconsin. Born in Sogn, Norway. Civil War: Farmer. Age 23. Blue eyes, brown hair, flushed complexion,…

MEISINGSETH, Knut

From Meisingseth prestegjeld, Kristianssund, Norway. Spanish-American War: Private. Name in the military was “Mosan”. Killed in the Battle for Luzon Island, The Philippines, on 24…
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MATHIASEN, Paul

WI 15th Inf Co C. Residence: Raymond, Racine County, Wisconsin. Civil War: Age 18. Unmarried. Enlisted for three years on 4 Nov 1861 at Waterford,…

MATHIESEN, Jens

MN 15th Inf. Civil War: Private. Sources: (Ulvestad p309)

MATHIESEN, Peter

Civil War: Private. Post war: Lived in Vernon County, Wisconsin. Sources: (Ulvestad p309)

MATHIESEN, William

US Navy. Born at Semb near Tonsberg, Norway, in 1847. Came to US in 1866. No War: Served three years in the US Navy. Post…

MATHIESON, Charles

WI 27th Inf Co K. Residence: Manitowoc, Manitowoc County, Wisconsin. Born in Sleswig, Denmark. Civil War: Age 32. Farmer. Blue eyes, brown hair, light complexion,…

MATHISEN, Joseph

WI 15th Inf Co B. Residence: Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin. Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, 7 Jan 1840. Came to America in 1859 to Madison. Civil…

MATHISON, E. H.

WI 2nd Cav Co C. Civil War: Sergeant. Died of diarrhea on 7 Aug 1864 at Andersonville Prison. Buried in grave 4925. Sources: (WHS Series…

MATHISON, Gunder

IA Sioux City Cav Co ?. Residence: Spirit Lake, Iowa. Born in Avaldsnæs, Norway. Civil War: Age 22. Enlisted 24 Sep 1861, into the Sioux…

MATHRE, Wm.

Illinois. Civil War: Private. Sources: (Ulvestad p309)

MATIASSEN, Samuel

From Telemarken, Norway. Indian War: Private. Post war: Lived in Minnesota. Sources: (Ulvestad p309)

MATIS, Hants

IL 53rd Co I. Residence: Wilmington, Will County, Illinois. Born in Norway. Civil War: Farmer. Age 17. Blue eyes, brown hair, dark complexion, 5’6”. Enlisted…

MATISON, Jermond

WI 38th Inf Co D. Residence: Norway Township, Racine County, Wisconsin. Born “Gjermund Mathiassen Kroshuus” on 30 Mar 1835 in Sauland, Hjartdal, Telemark, Norway, son…

MATSEN, Jacob

NY 1st Inf Co K. Residence: Brooklyn, New York. Civil War: Private. Sources: (Rygg p47)

MATSON, Canute R.

WI 13th Inf Co K. Residence: Milton, Rock County, Wisconsin. Born in Norway. Civil War: Age 19. Student. Unmarried. Blue eyes, auburn hair, fair complexion,…

MATSON, John

IL 3rd Inf Co G. Born 9 Feb 1840. Civil War: Age 22. Entered service in 1862 at Springfield, Illinois. Private. Discharged 1865 in Illinois.…