MN 1st Inf Co A. Residence: Henderson, Sibley County, Minnesota. Born 25 Dec 1831 near Christiania, Norway, a son of John and Anna Knudson. Civil War: Age 28. Enrolled 29 Apr 1861. Mustered 17 May 1861. Private. Promoted to Sergeant. Discharged from the service for disability 6 Nov 1863. Post war: In 1869, he became a customs collector at Pembina, Dakota Territory. Married at La Crosse, Wisconsin, to Martha Hanson. Nine children. Member of Warden GAR Post No. 12, North Dakota. Sources: (MINN p22) (MCIW p50) (Ulvestad p260) (GAR Roster, State Archives A40) (1885 Dakota Territory Special Census) (“Album of Biography”, p 789) (1890 Veterans and Widows Census, North Dakota, No.123, roll 59) “Nelson, Nelson E.”
