WI 15th Inf Co K. Residence: St. Ansgar, Mitchell County, Iowa. Born “Johannes Stephanus Irgens” on 11 Feb 1832 at Modum, Buskerud, Norway, son of Ole Irgens and Henriette Christine Calmeyer. He came to America on “Lyna”, which sailed from Drammen, Buskerud, 8 Jun 1849 and arrived in New York 14 Aug 1849. He stayed in New York, but moved in 1850 to Chicago, Illinois, where he worked in a factory. On 15 Dec 1853, he was married to Louise Petronelle Arentz (1826-1916). In 1857 he moved to St. Ansgar. Civil War: Age 29. Married. Enlisted 1 Mar 1862 and mustered at Madison, Wisconsin. Private. Promoted to First Sergeant 1 May 1862. Commissioned Second Lieutenant on 5 Jun 1862 at Humboldt, Tennessee. Resigned 3 Sep 1862. Post war: He became a railroad station master in Adams, Mower County, Minnesota. He was elected Mower County Treasurer. He was Minnesota Secretary of State from 1875 to 1879. In 1879, he moved to Valley City, Barnes County, North Dakota. In 1887, he was in Claremont, Surry County, Virginia. In 1887, he was back in Dakota. He moved in 1896 to Jamul, San Diego County, California, and died there on 31 Dec 1901. The Barnes County GAR Minutes of 21 Jan 1902 refer to the death of member John Irgens. Sources: (WHS Series 1200 box 76-12; red book vol 20 p140) (Buslett p618) (Ulvestad p257) (Ager p316) (Gjertveit) (GAR Joseph Weiser Post # 66 Minutes. Valley City Historical Society.) (Naeseth-Hedberg ’49-2559) “Irgens, Johan” “Irgens, Johannes”
