WI 15th Inf Co K. Residence: Manchester Township, Freeborn County, Minnesota. Born Apr 1815 on Herestad farm in Skjold Parish in Rogaland, Norway to Helge Pedersen and Alberta Nilsdatter. He married Olena Thomasdatter on 7 Nov 1854 in Decorah, Winneshiek County Iowa. Three children, Helge, Thomas and Charles. They moved to Freeborn County, Minnesota in 1857. Civil War: Age 44. Married. Enlisted for three years on 18 Dec 1861 in Freeborn County and mustered at Madison, Wisconsin, 11 Feb 1862. Private. Left behind sick at Mississippi River Island No. 10 on 11 Jun 1862. Deserted on 31 Mar 1863, but was back on 14 Nov 1864. Judged unfit for service and was discharged on 16 Oct 1864 at Columbus, Kentucky. Post war: Died 5 Jun 1871 in Riceland Township, Freeborn County, of consumption contracted while in the army. He is buried in the East Freeborn Lutheran Cemetery. Mrs. Helgeson (Olena) was born 4 Jul 1824 in Norway, died 15 Feb 1917 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and she is buried in the Prairie Queen Cemetery in Nunda, South Dakota. Sources: (WHS Series 1200 box 76-12; red book vol 20 p144) (Buslett p627) (Ager p317) (Ulvestad p290) (Great, great granddaughter Connie Julien, Chassell, Michigan
