WI 25th Inf Co K. Residence: Bloomingdal, Vernon County, Wisconsin. Born 13 Mar 1842 in Biri, Norway. Came to America in 1859, to Westby, Vernon County. Civil War: Farmer. Unmarried. Age 20. Blue eyes, brown hair, light complexion, 6’1”. Enlisted for three years on 13 Aug 1862 at Viroqua, Wisconsin. Mustered 14 Sep 1862 at La Crosse, Wisconsin. Private. Regiment first sent to the frontier to protect settlers from the Sioux. In 1863, the regiment was sent to Columbus, Kentucky, and into the Siege of Vicksburg. At his mustering out, his company commander wrote that he “Joined the company at the organization at La Crosse Wis and has been with the co every day since that time in all the Skirmishes and Battles which the Regiment has been engaged in, has never lost any duty by Sickness. He has been a good and faithful soldier, true to his country and the cause he fought for. He was born in Norway and enlists immediately after emigrating.” Post war: He homesteaded a farm on which he platted a village, now known as Ettrick. He there married Mary Nelson. Five children. Peterson died 29 Sep 1914. Sources: (WHS Series 1200 box 121-15; red book vol 30) (“Trempealeau Co. WI Biographies”) (“History of Trempeauleau County, Wisconsin, 1917”, p379)
