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.

Filters
Search
Last Name
State
Company

HOLO, Butler Olsen

Born in Indre Sogn, Norway. Civil War: Sergeant. Post war: Lived in Pembina County, North Dakota. Later, moved to Brown, Manitoba, Canada. Sources: (Ulvestad p259)…

HOLT, Andrew O.

Civil War: Private. Post war: Died in Waushara County, Wisconsin. Buried in Holden, Mt. Morris, Wisconsin; stone reads “26 Nov 1837 – 2 Feb 1899”.…

HOLVERSON, H.

WI 11th Inf Co K. Civil War: Private. Wounded in the assault on Vicksburg, Mississippi, 22 May 1863. Sources: (Quiner p568)

HOLUM, Bottolf

Civil War: Private. Post war: Lived for a time in Goodhue, County, Minnesota. Sources: (Ulvestad p292)

HOLVERSON, Andrew

IA 12th Inf Co G. Residence: Highland, Iowa. Born in Norway. Civil War: Age 22. Enlisted 16 Oct 1861. Mustered 5 Nov 1861. Private. Missing…

HOLMSTROM, John

MN 2nd Inf Co I. Residence: Glencoe, McLeod County, Minnesota. Born in Norway. Civil War: Age 40. Drafted. Mustered 2 Nov 1864. Private. Discharged from…

HOLST, Jacob

MN 3rd Inf Co F. Residence not shown. Born in Germany. Civil War: Age 35. Enrolled 27 Feb 1864. Mustered 2 Mar 1864. Private. Died…

HOLVERSON, Arna

WI 46th Inf Co I. Residence: Adams, Green County, Wisconsin. Born in Norway. Civil War: Farmer. Age 27. Married. Blue eyes, brown hair, sandy complexion,…

HOLT, Hans E.

From Kongsvinger, Norway. Civil War: Private. Post war: Lived in Jamestown, Kansas. Sources: (Ulvestad p292)
Tags:
H
Kansas

HOLTAN, John C.

WI 37th Inf Co B. Residence: Plymouth, Rock County, Wisconsin. Born in Norway. Civil War: Laborer. Age 18. Blue eyes, brown hair, florid complexion, 5’4”.…

HOLTAN, John

IL 39th Inf Co A. Residence: Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Born in Norway. Civil War: Laborer. Married. Age 42. Blue eyes, brown hair, fair complexion,…

HOLLAND, Aaron

IL 33rd Inf Co D. Residence: Springfield, Sagamon County, Illinois. Born in Norway. Civil War: Farmer. Age 22. Unmarried. Dark eyes, fair hair, light complexion,…

HOLLAND, Haldor S.

WI 28th Inf Co K. Residence: Primrose, Dane County, Wisconsin. Born 12 Aug 1843 in Haalandgaard, Etne, Hordaland, Norway, son of Sjur Olsen Haaland and…

HOLGRIMSON, Knut

WI 13th Inf Co G. Residence: Black Earth, Dane County, Wisconsin. Born in Norway. Civil War: Age 23. Farmer. Unmarried. Gray eyes, brown hair, florid…

HOLLAND, Henry P.

MN 2nd Inf Co A. Residence: Highland, Wabashaw, Minnesota. Born in Norway. Civil War: Age 24. Enrolled 26 Jun 1861. Mustered the same day. Private.…

HOLE, Lars Andersen

See ANDERSON, Lars
Tags:
H

HOLMAN, John

Spanish-American War: Advanced from private to First Lieutenant during his tour. Post war: He lived in Yankton, South Dakota (in 1907) Sources: (Ulvestad p257)

HOLGERSON, Loren

IA 13th Inf Co I. Residence: Decorah, Winneshiek County, Iowa. Born in Norway. Civil War: Age 29. Enlisted 20 Oct 1864. Mustered 20 Oct 1864.…

HOLIVENS, John

MN 3rd Inf Co D. Residence not shown. Born in Norway. Civil War: Age 21. Mustered 25 Feb 1864. Recruit. Private. Discharged from the service…

HOLLAND, Halvor

See HOFLAND, Halvor
Tags:
H