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Ole Olsen Berge papers, 1853-1865
- Title
- Ole Olsen Berge papers, 1853-1865
- Identifier
- P0035
- Date
- circa 1852-1865
- Creator
- Berge, Ole Olsen
- Description
- Papers of a Norwegian-born farmer at Manitowoc, Wisconsin: Civil War letters by Berge, other correspondence, and a poem. Berge served in Co. E, 19th Wis. Infantry. His wife was Berit Veblen Nygard.
According to Robert Bjerke (Univ. of Wisc. Center-Manitowoc Co.) Ole was born at Berge in Vang, Valdres; emigrated in 1850; died Manitowoc Co., Feb. 25, 1911.
The poem (a ballad in 40 verses) concerns the adventures of an "Ole" from childhood to 1825.
The Civil War letters are written from "James River" (January to March, 1865). A letter from Berit's parents, April 28, 1852. Also included is a letter from Gjermund Gjermundsen (Barboe) (1812-1883) of Saukville, Wis. to Gunder Halvorsen (Kiland) (1823-1885) of Manitowoc. It's not clear if this letter or the ballad have any connection with Berge. One page of the letter from Berge and his wife (undated but during the Civil War since his unit is mentioned).
See also the papers of his brother Gulbrand (1826-1886).
Location:
1/A/3 - Extent
- 1 folder
- Language
- Norwegian
- Subject
- Berge, Ole Olsen
- Gjermundsen, Gjermund (Barboe)
- Halvorsen, Gunder (Kiland), 1823-1885
- Nygard, Berit Veblen
- Veblen, Thor A.
- Civil War
- Manitowoc (Wis.)
- Wisconsin
- Type
- Correspondence
- Poem
- Access Rights
- This collection is open to research.
- Bibliographic Citation
- [Indicate the cited item here]. Ole Olsen Berge Papers. Norwegian American Historical Association, Northfield, Minnesota.
Collection
Citation
Berge, Ole Olsen, “Ole Olsen Berge papers, 1853-1865,” Norwegian American Historical Association, accessed October 16, 2026, https://norwegianamericanhistory.org/catalog/items/show/11848.