WI 7th Inf Co I. Residence: Dane County, Wisconsin. Born “John Guttormsen Kirkeby” on 29 Jun 1841 at Meraker, Norway, son of Guttorm Johnsen and Beret, both of Kringplas, Norway. Came to America in 1854, his parents and a sister dying of cholera during the voyage. He was taken in and raised by a family on the ship, Nils and Susanna Ivarsen, whose sons, John and Iver, later served in the Civil War. Civil War: Age 20. Enlisted at outbreak of war in 1861 and served until 1862. Private. Mustered out for disability. Regained his strength and re-enlisted in WI 30th Inf Co H. Corporal. Served until Oct 1865. Married Kirsti Haugen [12 Dec 1845-11 Apr 1918]. Moved to Minnehaha County, South Dakota, in 1866. Eleven children. John died 2 Jul 1913 at age 71 in Sverdrup, South Dakota, of an acute intestinal obstruction. Buried in West Pioneer Nidaros Cemetery in Sverdrup Township, NW lot, block 11, grave 8. Sources: Rootsweb.com. Ragnar Olsen ragolse@online.no) (Donald Nelson trondelag-L@rootsweb.com) (SDSHS WPA Veterans Cemetery Records, Minnehaha County) (Ulvestad p265)
