WI 11th Inf Co A. Residence: Cross Plains, Dane County, Wisconsin. Born “Jens Lagesen Præstegaard” on 25 Jul 1828 in Aurland, Sogn og Fjordane, Norway, son of Lage Knudsen Vangen and Sigrid Andersdatter. He came to America, traveling with his brother Knud (also to become a soldier) and Knud’s family, on the brig “Henrik Wergeland”, sailing from Bergen about 12 May 1849 and arriving in New York on 5 Jul 1849. They came to the Koshkonong settlement in Dane County, Wisconsin, and Jens later moved to an area near Spring Grove, Houston County, Minnesota. Civil War: Age 29. Farmer. Unmarried. Blue eyes, light hair, light complexion, 5’10”. Enlisted for three years on 2 Sep 1861 at Cross Plains. Mustered 7 Sep 1861 at Madison, Wisconsin. Private. Died of disease on 30 Jul 1862 at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. Sources: (WHS red book vol 16, p20) (WLCW p55) (Love p1075) (Naeseth-Hedberg ’49-953) “Lagerson, Jens” “Lagerson, Jean”.
