WI 16th Inf Co H. Born “Mathias Pedersen Bakstad” on 28 Mar 1846 at Øyer, Oppland, Norway, son of Peder Jonsen Bakstad and Maren Iversdatter Ekern. He came to America with his parents and five siblings on “Flora”, which sailed from Christiania on 15 Jun 1849 and arrived in New York on 23 Aug 1849. They came to Hamburg Township, Vernon County, Wisconsin. Civil War: Age 17. Entered service in 1863 at Coon Valley, Wisconsin. Private. Discharged 1865 at Madison, Wisconsin. Post war: Married Clara Zenobia Lee (182-1918) Eight children. They lived in Yankton, South Dakota. Died of kidney trouble at age 61 on 4 Nov 1907 at Rochester, Minnesota. Buried in Vangen Lutheran Cemetery, Mission Hill, Yankton County, South Dakota. Lot 1, block 35, grave 3. Sources: (SDSHS WPA Veterans Cemetery Records, Yankton County) (Naeseth-Hedberg ’49-3020) “Bakstad, Mathias”
