Tag - Genealogy

Moen Cemetery

Moen Cemetery

Moen CemeteryMoen Cemetery (also knows as Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery) is located just west of Cashton, WI.  My grand-mother, Lillian  Tollefson, side of the family is buried here.  The following known family members are buried here:

Soren Tollefson, Tillie (Running) Tollefson, Martin Tollefson, Edwin J. Tollefson, Tollef Tollefson, Jens Running, Lina (Running)

Other pics and information can be found at the Find A Grave site.

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Country Coon Prairie Lutheran Church and Cemetery

Country Coon Prairie Lutheran Church

Country Coon Prairie Lutheran ChurchCountry Coon Prairie Lutheran Church and cemetery is located outside of Westby, Wisconsin.

My Grand-Father (Jimmy Johnson) and Grand-Mother (Jessie Holter) are buried here.

Other pics and information can be found at the Find A Grave site.

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Vang Norwegian Lutheran Church and Cemetery

Vang Norwegian Lutheran Church

Vang Norwegian Lutheran ChurchVang Norwegian Lutheran Church is located just off State Highway 14 between Westby and Coon Valley in Wisconsin. My Great-Grandfather (Joseph Johnson) /Grandmother (Clara Strangstalien) are buried here, in addition to a number of other relatives (Strangstalien, Johnson, Bjorge).

Other pics and information can be found at the Find A Grave site.

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West Prairie Hauge Lutheran Cemetery

West Prairie Hauge Lutheran Cemetery

West Prairie Hauge Lutheran CemeteryWest Prairie Hauge Lutheran Cemetery is a small cemetery located on a ridge in Crawford County on Highway 82. The following family members are buried here:

Rudalph Peterson (Grand-Father),  Peter L. Peterson, Steen Peterson, Elmer Peterson, Lloyd O. Peterson

Other pics and information can be found at the Find A Grave site.

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West Pairie Hauge Norwegian Lutheran Church

West Prairie Hauge Norwegian Lutheran Church

West Prairie Hauge Norwegian Lutheran ChurchThe West Prairie Hauge Norwegian Lutheran Church had it’s closing service on June 24, 1990, and on December 21, 1990 the church building and surrounding one-half acre of land was deeded over to the Crawford County Historical Society to be used for a Norwegian History Center.

My Grand-Father Rudalph Peterson had his service here upon his death in 1943.

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Cemeteries and Churches

In researching the history of the the Peterson and Johnson families, there are a large number of cemeteries and churches that our families have been associated with.  I am attempting to consolidate the various pictures for these churches, cemeteries, and headstones within this section as I continue to provide updates.

Wisconsin

West Prairie Hauge Lutheran Cemetery, Crawford County

West Prairie Hauge Norwegian Lutheran Church, Crawford County

Country Coon Prairie Lutheran Church & Cemetery, Vernon County

Vang Norwegian Lutheran Church and Cemetery

Viroqua Cemetery, Vernon County

Moen Cemetery, Monroe County

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Peder Pederson Teigen Info

The following information was obtained from an entry within “Find A Grave.”

Peter Peterson (Petersen), Peder Pederson Teigen,

Peder Pedersen was born on the Vedvigen farm, Haflso parish in Sogn og Fjordane. He emigrated as Peder Pedersen Teigen from Hafslo parish on April 13, 1861. Only a few months later he joined the Union cause.

Peder Pederson Teigen was enlisted under the name Peter Peterson in Company B of the 15th WI by Captain Ole C. Johnson on October 16, 1861 for a 3-year term of service. The men of Company B called themselves the “Wergeland Guards” in honor of the famous Norwegian writer and poet Henrik Wergeland. Peter was mustered into Federal service at the rank of Private (Menig) on November 16, 1861, at Camp Randall near Madison, Dane County, WI. At the time he was listed as not married and as being 20 and 21 years old. His residence was recorded as Primrose Township, Dane County, WI.

On January 14, 1862, the men of Company B were issued Belgian rifle muskets. On March 2, 1862, after 3 and 1/2 months at Camp Randall learning to be a soldier, Private Peterson left there with his company and regiment to join the war. From then until May 1864, he was listed as “present” with the 15th. As such he would have participated in the successful siege of Island No. 10 on the Mississippi River in Tennessee and the surprise raid on Union City, TN, in March and April 1862.

That summer Private Peterson would have been with the 15th on campaign through Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. In August and September he would have participated in the grueling 400-mile retreat with U.S. major General Don Carlos Buell up to Louisville, KY, with the last 2 weeks being on half rations and short of water. He would then have been present at the October 8, 1862, fighting at Perryville, Boyle County, KY, which is also called the Battle of Chaplin Hills. While this was the 15th’s first big battle, it emerged without any fatalities.

On December 26, 1862, Private Peterson would have participated in the 15th’s desperate charge upon a Confederate artillery battery at Knob Gap, TN, just south of Nashville. There the 15th captured a brass cannon. He would then have fought in the long, cold, wet, and bloody Battle of Stones River, TN, also called the Battle of Murfreesboro, which started on December 30, 1862, and ran into early January 1863. It was there that the 15th first suffered serious battle casualties, and was cited for bravery.

The 15th then camped in the Murfreesboro area for the next 6 months, except for 2 weeks in February when it was sent to Franklin, TN. In early April 1863, Private Peterson was assigned to duty as an “orderly” at the 15th’s regimental headquarters. Beginning April 20, 1863, he was assigned to duty as a “teamster” with the regiment. As such he probably drove a wagon pulled by a team of horses or mules. Starting June 23, 1863, the regiment took part in General Rosecrans’ Tullahoma campaign. On July 3, 1863, it went into camp at Winchester, Franklin County, TN, for 6 weeks.

On August 17, 1863, the 15th left Winchester to take part in General Rosecrans’ Chickamauga campaign. Private Peterson probably was present at the daring early morning crossing of the Tennessee River on August 28th, which the 15th led. He probably was also present at the September 19-20, 1863, fighting at Chickamauga, GA — the second bloodiest battle of the Civil War — though it is doubtful that as a teamster he took an active part in the fighting. Some 63% of the 15th’s soldiers who were at Chickamauga were killed, wounded, or taken prisoner.

Private Peterson would have then served with the regiment during the Confederate siege of Chattanooga, TN, which began right after the battle. The siege caused severe shortages of food, medicine which, together with cold, wet weather, caused much suffering, sickness, and death. The Confederate siege was finally broken by the Union Army’s victorious charge up Mission Ridge on November 25, 1863, which the 15th took part in. In December 1863, Private Peterson was relieved of duty as a teamster and returned to the ranks of Company B.

Starting right after Mission Ridge the 15th was engaged in almost non-stop marching and counter-marching all over eastern Tennessee throughout the winter of 1863/1864. By many original accounts, this was the worst period of the regiment’s 3-year term of service. Poor rations, inadequate clothing and shelter, and unseasonably cold weather made these months nearly unbearable.

Starting in May 1864, the 15th participated in U.S. Major General William T. Sherman’s famous campaign to capture Atlanta, GA. This campaign was marked by almost daily marching and/or combat for 4 months. The 15th took part in the fighting at Rocky Face Ridge, GA, in early May; the bloody Battle of Resaca, GA, on May 14-15; and the disastrous Battle of Pickett’s Mill (often called Dallas or New Hope Church) on May 27, 1864. There the 15th suffered 50% casualties. One of them was Private Peterson, who received a “slight flesh wound lower third of right arm” from “grape shot” fired from a Confederate cannon.

On June 12, 1864, Private Peterson was admitted to Hospital No. 106 in Louisville, KY. He left there on August 10, 1864, and was admitted to the Harvey U.S. Army General Hospital in Madison, WI, on August 12, 1864. He was a patient there until he was “returned to duty” on September 19, 1864.

After a rest following the capture of Atlanta in early September 1864, the 15th was briefly assigned to Provost (police) duty in Chattanooga starting in early October 1864. Private Peterson rejoined the regiment at some point in late September or early October 1864. The 15th then spent several months guarding a railroad bridge at Whitesides, TN, near Chattanooga. This was considered by some of the soldiers as the easiest duty of their entire war service.

Private Peterson was mustered out of Federal service along with most of the other surviving members of Company B on December 2, 1864, at Chattanooga, upon the end of their 3-year terms of service. At muster out the Army noted that he was due $100 in bounty money. However, their return to Wisconsin was delayed until the end of the month. This was due to the final offensive of the Confederate Army of the Tennessee, which cut the railroad line from Chattanooga to Nashville that was essential to reach Wisconsin. The war itself came to an end some 4 months later with the surrender of the Confederate Armies.

After being mustered out, Peter Peterson returned to Wisconsin in January 1865. Within a year he got married and with his wife took up farming in Freeman Township, Crawford County, WI. There they had 10 children, including: Anna (1874-1875); Anna (1876-1879); Peter O.; Christian; Eric; and John. When they retired from farming in 1902, Peter and his wife moved from Freeman to Chaffee, ND, to live with their son Peter O. Peterson. Later they moved into the Old Soldiers Home, which noted that he was receiving a $75 per month veterans pension from the government. They both died and were buried there.

Sources: Civil War Compiled Military Service Records by Office of Adjutant General of the United States (Washington, DC); Det Femtende Regiment, Wisconsin Frivillige [The Fifteenth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers] by Ole A. Buslett (Decorah, Iowa, 1895); Regimental Descriptive Rolls, Volume 20 Office of the Adjutant General State of Wisconsin (Madison, Wisconsin, 1885); Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers, War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865, Volume I, Office of the Adjutant General State of Wisconsin (Madison, Wisconsin, 1886); Genealogical data provided by his great granddaughters Glenda Jo Peterson Maynard and Joan Tabak, by Curt and Kenneth Kolstad, and by Dan Boyle.all learning to be a soldier, Private Peterson left there in early March, 1862, with his company and regiment to join the war. From then until May, 1864, he was listed as “present.” As such he would have participated in the successful siege of Island No. 10 on the Mississippi River in the State of Tennessee, and the surprise raid on Union City, Tennessee, in March and April, 1862. That summer he would have been with the 15th on campaign through Tennessee and the States of Mississippi and Alabama. In August and September, he would have participated in the grueling 400 mile retreat with General Buell up to the City of Louisville, State of Kentucky, with the last 2 weeks being on half rations and short of water. He would have been present at the October 8, 1862, Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, which is also called the Battle of Chaplin Hills. While this was the first big battle that the 15th was in, it emerged without any fatalities. On December 26, 1862, Private Peterson would have participated in the 15th’s desperate charge upon a Confederate artillery battery at Knob Gap, Tennessee, just south of the City of Nashville. There the 15th captured a brass cannon. He would have also fought at the long, cold, wet, and bloody Battle of Stone River, Tennessee, also called the Battle of Murfreesboro, on December 30-31, 1862. It is there that the 15th first suffered serious battle casualties, and was cited for bravery. The 15th camped in the Murfreesboro area for the next 6 months, except for 2 weeks in February when it was sent to the Town of Franklin, Tennessee. In early April, 1863, Private Peterson was assigned to duty as an “orderly” at the regimental headquarters.

Beginning April 20, 1863, he was assigned to duty as a “teamster” with the regiment. As such he probably drove a wagon pulled by a team of horses or mules. Starting June 23, 1863, the regiment took part in General Rosecrans’ Tullahoma campaign. On July 3, 1863, it camped at Winchester, Tennessee. On August 17, 1863, the 15th left there to take part in General Rosecran’s Chickamauga campaign. Private Peterson may have been present at the daring early morning crossing of the Tennessee River on August 28th, which the 15th led. He may have also been present at the September 19-20, 1863, Battle of Chickamauga, Georgia — the second bloodiest battle of the Civil War — though it is doubtful he took part in the fighting. Some 63% of the 15th’s soldiers who were at Chickamauga were killed, wounded, or taken prisoner. Private Peterson would have then served with the regiment during the Confederate siege of Chattanooga, Tennessee, which began right after the battle. The siege caused severe shortages of food and firewood. It was not until the Union Army’s victorious charge up Mission Ridge on November 25, 1863, which the 15th took part in, that the siege was finally broken. In December, 1863, Private Peterson was relieved of duty as a teamster and returned to the ranks of Company B.Starting right after Mission Ridge the 15th was engaged in almost non-stop marching and counter-marching all over Eastern Tennessee throughout the Winter of 1863/1864. By many original accounts, this was the worst period of the regiment’s 3 year term of service, and Private Peterson was present for it. Poor rations, inadequate clothing and shelter, and unseasonably cold weather made these months nearly unbearable.

Starting in May, 1864, the 15th participated in General Sherman’s famous campaign to capture the City of Atlanta, Georgia. This campaign was marked by almost daily marching and/or combat for 4 months straight. It included fighting at Rocky Face Ridge in early May, at the bloody Battle of Resaca on May 14, and at the disastrous Battle of Pickett’s Mill (often called Dallas or New Hope Church) on May 27. At Pickett’s Mill the 15th suffered fearful casualties. One of them was Private Peterson, who received a “slight flesh wound lower third of right arm” from “grape shot.” On June 12, 1864, Private Peterson was admitted to Hospital No. 106 in Louisville, Kentucky. He left there on August 10, 1864, and was admitted to the Harvey U.S. Army General Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin, on August 12, 1864. He was a patient there until he was “returned to duty” on September 19, 1864. After a rest following the capture of Atlanta in early September, 1864, the 15th was briefly assigned to Provost (police) duty in Chattanooga in early October. Private Peterson rejoined the regiment at some point in late September or early October, 1864. The 15th then spent several months guarding a railroad bridge at Whitesides, Tennessee. This was considered by some of the soldiers as the easiest duty of their entire war service.

Private Peterson was mustered out of Federal service along with most of the other surviving members of Company B on December 2, 1864, at Chattanooga, upon the end of his 3 year term of service. At muster out the Army, it was noted that he was due $100 in bounty money. The men of Company B were then sent back to Madison, Wisconsin, where they were paid off and the company disbanded. After the war, Peter returned to Wisconsin and within a year got married. He and his wife then farmed in Freeman Township, Bad Ax (now Vernon) County, Wisconsin. There they had 8 children. When they retired from farming in 1902 Peter and his wife moved from Freeman to the Town of Chaffee, North Dakota, to live with their son Peter O. Peterson. Later they moved into the Old Soldiers Home, which noted that he was receiving a $75 per month veterans pension from the government.Sources: Genealogical data provided by his Great Granddaughters Glenda Jo Peterson Maynard and Joan Tabak, by Curt and Kenneth Kolstad, and by Dan Boyle; Civil War Compiled Military Service Records by Office of Adjutant General of the United States (Washington, DC); Det Femtende Regiment, Wisconsin Frivillage [The Fifteenth Regiment, Wisconsin Volunteers] by Ole A. Buslett (Decorah, Iowa, 1895); Regimental Descriptive Rolls, Volume 20 Office of the Adjutant General State of Wisconsin (Madison, Wisconsin, 1885); Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers, War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865, Volume I Office of the Adjutant General State of Wisconsin (Madison, Wisconsin, 1886).

Peterson Family Overview

The Peterson family emigrated to America during the mid to late 1800’s, primarily from Luster, in the Sognefjorden region of Norway.  Peder Pederson Teigen (b. 1809) had three sons that decided to emigrate:  Peder in 1861, Hans in 1864, and my G-Grandfather Lars in 1882.  As  Peder emigrated in 1861, he found himself smack dab in the Civil War.  Further information can be found on the  the 15th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry website.

One of the Norwegian websites that was able to provide a some information on Peder Pederson Teigen (b. 1809) can be found here, however it is primarily on his wife’s side.

G-G-Grandfather – Peder Pederson Teigen (1809)

Peder lived at Dulsvik (subfarm), Lingjerde (main farm) in Luster where he had his first child.  Lingjerde is on the Eastern side of the fjord, some miles northeast of Teigen.

G-Grandfather – Lars Pederson Teigen  (1848)

Lars Pederson Teigen  was born at the Teigen farm under Sandvik farm in Luster parish (Gaupne subparish) in 8 Sep 1848. He was the 6th child (of 10) of Peder Pederson Teigen (1809-1885) from the Aurland parish and Christenca Torbjørnsdatter Eikum (1813-1883) from the Hafslo parish.

Lars emigrated to Crawford County, Wisconsin in 1882 and married Oline Olsdatterthere in 6 Jan 1887 . Lars (also called Louis) and Oline (called Olena) farmed at Rush Creek, Freeman township, Crawford Co. and had 11 children: Elmer, Peter, Lottie, Christina, John, Steen, Anna, Rudolph, Alfred, Oscar, and Hannah.

There are a number of details found within the Norwegian bygdebook for the Luster area.  Teigen is located near Marifjøra in Luster (Lyster) on a map of Western Norway.  Teigen is about 2 km along the coast southeast of Marifjøra.

 

The following informatin was obtained from this website: http://www.emigration.no/sff/emigration3.nsf/0/A21479B54FF892F9C1256E620042A7C5?OpenDocument

Most of the Norwegians who settled in Crawford County, Wisconsin settled in the four northern townships – Seneca, Freeman, Utica, and Clayton. There were also a few families that settled in Eastman and Wauzeka townships in southern Crawford County.

Those that settled in Seneca Township were mainly from Nordfjord, with a few families from Valdres and Flekkeflord. Those that settled in Freeman Township were mainly from Nordflord and Luster, with a few families from Ringerike, Flekkeflord, Hallingdal and Sogndal. Those that settled in Utica Township were from Luster, Aardal, Borgund, Laerdal and Sunnfjord, with at least one family from Valdres. Those that settled in Clayton Township settled in the northwest corner of the township and were mainly from Luster and Aardal. Those that settled in Eastman Township and Wauzeka Township came in the 1850’s or early 1860’s and came from southern Norway. Those that came to Eastman Township came from Voss and the Stavanger area.

Since those families that setled in Eastman Township did not become members of a Norwegian Lutheran Church, it has been difficult to determine exactly where in southern Norway most of them came from, especially if they dropped the farm name. Those that settled in Wauzeka Township came from Flekkefjord. They remained in that township until the early 1880’s when they moved to Bridgewater, South Dakota. Later, some of them went on to the State of Washington, and some of them to Canada. During the time they lived in Wauzeka Township, they belonged to the Utica Norwegian Lutheran Church, after it was organized in 1871. Before that time, they belonged to the South West Prairie Norwegian Lutheran Church.

The composition of the members of the various Norwegian Lutheran churches in northern Crawford County and southern Vernon County seemed to follow rather closely the composition of the Norwegians that settled in those areas. Consequently, the composition of the Norwegians buried in their cemeteries follow rather closely the composition of the Norwegians that settled in those areas.

Those buried in the Mt. Sterling Lutheran Cemetery were mainly from Borgund and Sunnfjord, with a few from Valdres, Laerdal and Sogndal; the Utica Lutheran Cemetery, from Nordfjord and Laerdal, with a few from Valdres and Sogndal; the South Kickapoo Lutheran Cemetery, mainly from Aardal; the North Kickapoo Lutheran Cemetery, mainly from Luster, Hafslo and Aardal; South West Prairie Lutheran Cemetery, from Nordfjord, Luster and Laerdal, with a few from Hallingdal; Freeman Lutheran Cemetery, from Luster, with a few from Nordfjord and Flekkefjord; and the De Soto Lutheran Cemetery, mainly from Luster, Hafslo and Laerdal.

By Jacob Vedvik, Jr., 1990

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