WI 15th Inf Co D. Residence: Oconomowoc, Waukesha County, Wisconsin. Born “Lars Gunnarsen Naas” on the Naas farm in Drangedal, Telemark, Norway, on 9 May 1841. Came to America on the “Æolus”, which sailed from Kragerø, Telemark, and reached New York on 4 Sep 1845. He traveled with his parents, Gunnar Nilson Naas and Aasborg Oline Tykesdatter Naas. They settled in the Rock River Settlement in Dodge County, Wisconsin. From age 17 until he went to war, he worked as a clerk in a manufacturing business. Civil War: Age 20. Unmarried. Enlisted for three years on 30 Oct 1861 at Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, and mustered at Madison, Wisconsin, on 8 Dec 1861. Designated First Sergeant on 1 Jan 1862. Commissioned First Lieutenant at Mississippi River Island No. 10 on 2 May 1862, with rank from 20 April. At age 21, he became Regimental Quartermaster Officer, 24 Nov 1862. Was left behind with the supply train at Nashville, Tennessee, in December 1862. Was named acting Adjutant on 1 May 1863. Was promoted to Adjutant on 3 Jun 1863, effective from 27 May. Was put on detached service and assigned as Aide-de-Camp on the Brigade staff to Brigadier Stab. Named Adjutant of the regiment on 3 Jun 1863. On leave of absence from 23 Oct 1863. Served as acting Captain on 1 Aug 1864 with special service as Provost Marshall. Fought at Chickamauga and in the East Tennessee campaigns. Promoted to Captain on 15 Sep 1864 at Atlanta, Georgia, commanding D Company succeeding Albert Skofstad, who resigned. Mustered out with D Company at Chattanooga, Tennessee, on 13 Feb 1865. Post war: He operated a successful business in Kasson, Minnesota. Married three times; first in 1870 to Mary E. Lee, who died in 1884. They had one daughter. Married second to Hattie E Barlow in 1886. She died in 1888. Married third in 1890 to Etta M. Dibble. They had one daughter. In 1890, he was living in Kasson, Dodge County, Minnesota. In 1893, he was living in Owatonna, Minnesota. Died 21 Aug 1907. Sources: (WHS Series 1200 boxes 76-2,6, 78-1,3, 79-2; red book vol 20 p2,56) (Nelson p512) (Buslett p434 photo) (Ulvestad p256) (Ager p271, photo; p290, 300) (Gjertveit) (Naeseth ’45-1212) (“History of the Scandinavians in the United States” by O. N. Nelson, Publ. in Minneapolis, 1893. p 511) (Meeker) “Nilson, Lewis” “Naas, Lars”
