brother Porter Olsen

Porter is undoubtedly the most famous or well known of Slooper Ole's children. Rosdail, in his book The Sloopers, begins the almost 5 full pages on Porter with this statement:

Second in the Ole Olson family, was a son, Porter, who distinguished himself as Commander of the 36th Illinois Volunteers in the Civil War, and was killed in battle. (Rosdail p 375)

He held the rank of acting Brigadier General at the time of his death.

A most excellent article has been written about Porter Olson and the monument that stands in his honor in Illinois. This was written by Elmer Dickson and was originally published a Kendal Co., IL, historical society journal. It is now available on a RootsWeb page with the title of "Porter Olson Memorial".

The above online article by Dickson is highly recommended for a description of this prominent Norwegian-American and Civil War hero. For those Civil War buffs and/or those wanting additional life details and Porter's writings from the battle field, see the "Rasmus Anderson excerpt" linked HERE or in the left column.

See Porter's listing on Vesterheim's online Norwegians in the Civil War

His portrait scanned from the Rasmus B. Anderson book (see link on left):

click image for larger size

2 ADDITIONAL SMALL PHOTOS OF PORTER OLSON,

thanks to Civil War "re-enactor" Mark Krausz.

Porter Olson in Union Officer's Uniform, unknown date

(no larger size of either photo available.)

Obviously a later picture, probably taken shortly before his death. His beard had turned gray even though he was still in his early 30's.

Read "CIVIL WAR BATTLE REPORTS OF PORTER C. OLSON" (3 Letters, 1st duplicating some of Rasmus Anderson excerpt.)

For more on the 36th Illinois Infantry Regiment, see:

HISTORY OF THIRTY-SIXTH INFANTRY.

For more on the battle in which Porter Olsen was killed, see:

Wikipedia’s “Battle of Franklin II”

.

Furnished by Norwegian researcher Gunleif Seldal, a map showing:

Movements & Battlefields of 36th Ill. Inf. Regiment

For larger images, click on thumbnails below

Photo collection of Porter Olson Monument photos taken in winter 2003*

Millington-Newark Cemetery, Kendall County, Illinois

*Monument photos taken by volunteer members Anna M. & David J. of NorwayList in the support of a Norwegian research project by Gunleif Seldal telling the story of another Norwegian immigrant who served under Col. Olson, returned to Norway for his last years & is buried at the Høle Church cemetery. See photo below of unusual Civil War official grave marker for veteran Christ Lind now found southeast of Stavanger Norway.

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