MN “Citizen Soldiers engaged in the Sioux Indian war of 1862”. Born 15 Jul 1840 in Grue, Hamar Parish, Norway. His father was Norwegian; his mother Swedish. Came to America in 1850, eventually settling near Decorah, Winneshiek County Iowa. John went alone to St. Paul at age 13 to seek employment. Civil War: Private. Served in Indian and Civil wars. In the Indian war he served as a Private in The Frontier Avengers, which was organized at St. Peter, Minnesota, on 23 Aug 1862. That unit marched to the relief of New Ulm, arriving 24 Aug 1862. In the Civil war, he was appointed Major in charge of a couple of companies of Negro soldiers, a position he held three years. Post war: Came to Minneapolis in 1867. Married in 1868. In 1869, he opened a merchandise store in Willmar, Minnesota. Sources: (MCIW p779) (Ulvestad p321) (“History of the Scandinavians in the United States” by O. N. Nelson, Publ. in Minneapolis, 1893. p540)
