THOMPSON, Thomas

WI 13th Inf Co G. Residence: Spring Valley, Rock County, Wisconsin. “Torsten Torstensen Kopseng”, born 15 Apr 1825 in Eggedal, Norway, a son of Torsten Christiansen Kopseng and Ingerid Christoffersdatter Narum. He was an uncle of another soldier, Stengrim Hanson Bergerud. Civil War: Blacksmith. Age 38. Unmarried. Blue eyes, brown hair, florid complexion, 5’10”. Enlisted for three years on 1 Sep 1861 at Spring Valley. Mustered 17 Oct 161 at Janesville, Wisconsin. Private. Re-enlisted for three years on 23 Jan 1864 and re-mustered 30 Jan 1864 at Nashville, Tennessee. Re-enlistment bounty $400. Captured by the enemy on 31 Dec 1864 at Pain Rock Bridge, Alabama. Mustered out on 29 Jul 1865 at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. Post war: On 24 Sep 1865, he married Marte Torstensdatter Berg. They lived in Madison Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa. In 1875, they moved to the vicinity of Mayville, Traill County, North Dakota. They had eight children, four of whom died in Iowa. Thom Thompson Kopseng died 8 Apr 1898 in Traill County, and was buried in Bruflat Cemetery in Viking township, Traill County. Sources: (WHS Series 1200 box 65-15; red book vol 18, p146) (Letter: Rosie Goettelman, Decorah IA) (1890 Veterans and Widows Census, North Dakota, No.123, roll 59)