WI 15th Inf Co K. Residence: Manchester Township, Freeborn County, Minnesota. Born “Ole Pedersen Slette” on 16 Feb 1832 in Sigdal, Buskerud, Norway, son of Peder Olsen Slette and Mari Halvorsdatter. He came to America in 1851 to Illinois. Married on 20 Dec 1852 to Ingeborg (Eliza) Gulbrandsdatter Rugland. Six children. Moved to Freeborn County, where his family was one of the first six Norwegian families to settle in Manchester Township. Civil War: Age 29. Ole was one of the organizers of Company K. Enlisted 1 Jan 1862. Mustered into service at Madison, Wisconsin, and commissioned First Lieutenant on 30 Jan 1862. Left sick 11 Jun 1862 and resigned from the army on 30 Aug 1862 under authority of General Halleck. Post war: He became a prominent farmer in Manchester Township, and was elected to the State Legislature in 1883. Died 31 May 1891 at his home. Buried in West Freeborn Church cemetery. Sources: (WHS Series 1200 box 76-12; red book vol 20 p140) (Buslett p616) (Ager p316) (“History of the Scandinavians in the United States” by O. N. Nelson, Publ. in Minneapolis, 1893. p553) (Ulvestad p258) (FCHS) (Naeseth-Hedberg ’49-1101)
