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Hans Christenen

15th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry
The Scandinavian Regiment

Database Record Change Request

Name at Enlist

Hans Christenen

Birth Name

Hans Christensen

Lived

20 Apr 1823 – 29 Jan 1908

Birth Place

Lunner, Oppland

Birth Country

Norway

Company at Enlistment

F

Rank at Enlistment

Private

Muster Date

18 Nov 1861

Death Location

Garretson, Minnehaha County, SD

Burial Location

Rosendal Lutheran Cemetery at Garretson, Minnehaha County, SD, lot 4, block 1, grave 2

Mother

Kirstie Olsdatter

Father

Christen Paulsen

Immigration

1850

Spouse

Oline Gudbrandsdatter

Spouse Lived

6 Jan 1820- 8 Mar 1901

Married On

27 Dec 1845

Marriage Location

Jevnaker, Oppland, Norway

Hans Christensen was born on April 20, 1823 in Lunner, Oppland, Norway. His parents were Christen Paulsen and Kirstie Olsdatter. Hans married Oline Gudbrandsdatter on December 27, 1845 in Jevnaker, Oppland, Norway. They immigrated to WI in 1850. Hans and Oline had four children, including Anne (1850 in Norway), Jul (1852), William (1857), and Christian (1862).

When the war began, Christensen joined the WI 15th Infantry, Company F. The men of the company called themselves “KK’s Protectors” in honor of the 15th’s first Lieutenant Colonel, Kiler K. Jones. “F” was also known as the Valdres Company because a large number of its members hailed from the Valdres region of Norway.

The army listed Christensen as 39 years of age and married. He had blue eyes, light hair, light complexion, and stood 5’6”. He entered service on November 18, 1861 at Madison, WI as Private (Menig). He was discharged on May 27, 1864.

After the war, in 1880 Christensen and his family lived in Moscow, Iowa County, WI and he worked as a farmer. In 1900, they were living in Rose Dell, Rock, MN. They then moved to Sherman, Minnehaha County, SD. He died on January 29, 1908 at age 85 in Garretson, Minnehaha County, SD. He was buried in Rosendal Lutheran Cemetery at Garretson, lot 4, block 1, grave 2. Oline died on March 8, 1901 and is buried there too.

 

Sources: Nordmændene i Amerika, Martin Ulvestad, 1907, History Book Co., Minneapolis, MN, p.274; SDSHS WPA Veterans Cemetery Records, Minnehaha County; Certificate of Service from the State of Wisconsin, signed by the Adjutant General on 30 Apr 1941; findagrave.com; Oppland County, Jevnaker, Klokkerbok No. 1 (1815-1837), p.39; Oppland County, Jevnaker, Ministerialbok No. 6 (1837-1857), p.187; 1880 Census, Roll: 1429, Family History Film: 1255429, Page: 193D, Enumeration District: 157; 1900 Census, Roll: 787, Page: 4B, Enumeration District: 0253, FHL microfilm: 1240787.