WI 15th Inf Co K. Residence: Manchester township, Freeborn County, Minnesota. Born 28 Mar 1832 in Sigdal, Buskerud, Norway, to Ola Knutsen Eidal and Gunhild Helgesdatter Mjosengeie. Came to America in 1853 to Jefferson Prairie, Wisconsin, and from there to Ossian, Winneshiek County, Iowa. On 18 Mar 1857, he was married to Sigrid Gudbrandsdatter Hovseie (1830-1914). Four children. Family was living in Freeborn County by 1860. Civil War: Age 31. Enlisted for three years on 23 Dec 1861 in Freeborn County and mustered at Madison, Wisconsin, 11 Feb 1862. Private. While on board a steam boat near St. Louis, Missouri, in April 1862, he contacted lung fever and rheumatism. Left behind sick at Mississippi River Island No. 10 on 11 Jun 1862. He was moved to a general hospital near Cincinnati, Ohio, on 28 Jul 1862. He was found to be unfit for service and was discharged on 16 Oct 1862. Post war: In August 1866, Helge and Sigrid moved to Mantorville, Dodge County, Minnesota. In 1822, the family moved to Flom Township in Norman County, Minnesota. Seven children. Helge died 29 Jan 1905 at Flom. Sigrid died 24 Dec 1914 at Flom. They are buried in the Wild Rice Lutheran Churchyard. Sources: (WHS Series 1200 box 76-12; red book vol 20 p148) (Buslett p637) (Ager p319) (Ulvestad p271) (Rokke) (“The Twin Valley Community Saga”, publ 1986) Rootsweb.com; article by Rob Erickson, Edina, Minnesota, published in “Flom & Area Townships 2002”) “Bergetangen, Helge Olsen”
