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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ELSETH, Andreas

From Skien, Norway. Civil War: Private. Post war: Died in Wisconsin. (before 1907) Sources: (Ulvestad p278)

ELSETH, Peder

From Skien, Norway. Civil War: Private. Fought in the battle of Chickamauga, Georgia [19-20 Sep 1863] and many other engagements, but what happened to him…
Tags:
E

ELSETH, Samuel

See PETERSEN, Samuel
Tags:
E

ELSETH, Soren

From Skien, Norway. Civil War: Private. Post war: Lived in Tacoma, Washington. Sources: (Ulvestad p278)

ELTON, Ole

From Vang, Valders, Norway. Civil War: Private. Wounded. Post war: Lived in Holden, Minnesota. Sources: (Ulvestad p278)

ELVENSON, Hans

WI 31st Inf Co E. Residence: Moscow, Iowa County, Wisconsin. Born “Hans Evensen Kjustrud” on 30 Jun 1826, son of Even Andedrsen Kjustrud and Anne…

ELVERSON, Elliv

WI 17th Inf Co A. Residence: Bergin, Vernon County, Wisconsin. Born 1822 in Norway. Civil War: Farmer. Age 43. Blue eyes, brown hair, dark complexion,…

EMBERSON, Hans

WI 46th Inf Co A. Residence: York, Green County, Wisconsin. Enlistment credited to Sylvester, Green County. Born in Norway. Civil War: Farmer. Age 32. Married.…

ELLINGSON, Kittel

MN 1st Battalion Infantry, Co H. Residence: Highlandville, Winneshiek County, Iowa. Born about 1846 in Foss, Aal, Hallingdal, Norway, a son of Elling Aslesen. Came…

ELLINGSON, Louis A.

IA 9th Inf Co H. Residence: Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa. Born in Norway. Civil War: Age 20. Enlisted 21 Aug 1861. Mustered 24 Sep 1861.…

ELLINGSON, Mathias

WI 42nd Inf Co A. Residence: New Hope, Portage County, Wisconsin. Enlistment credited to Scandinavia, Waupaca County. Born in Norway. Civil War: Farmer. Age 26.…

ELLINGSON, Ole

From Sokndal, Ringerike, Norway. Civil War: Lieutenant. Post war: Died in Freeborn County, Minnesota. Sources: (Ulvestad p257)

ELLINGSON, Ole

WI 23rd Inf Co H. Residence: Blooming Grove, Dane County, Wisconsin. Civil War: Unmarried. Age 20. Enlisted for three years on 13 Aug 1862 at…

ELLINGSON, Ole J.

MN 4th Inf Co F. Residence: Bancroft Township, Freeborn County, Minnesota. Born in Norway. County treasurer in 1860. Civil War: Age 35. Enrolled for three…

ELLINGSON, Osman

IA 35th Inf Co I. Residence: Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Born in Norway. Civil War: Age 26. Enlisted 13 Aug 1862. Mustered 5 Sep 1862. Private.…

ELLINGSON, Thomas

WI 12th Inf Co C. Residence: Dodgeville, Iowa County, Wisconsin. Born in Norway. Civil War: Unmarried. Age 40. Farmer. Enlisted for three years on 6…

ELLINGSON, Thomas

WI 34th Inf Co B. Residence: Dodgeville, Iowa County, Wisconsin. Civil War: Age 44. Enrolled at Dodgeville on 10 Nov 1862 for nine months as…

ELLINGTON, Christian

IL 12th Cav Co H. Residence: Manchester, Boone County, Illinois. Born in Norway. Civil War: Farmer. Age 18. Blue eyes, brown hair, light complexion, 5’6”.…