Ole Carl Johnson Shipnes (February 23, 1838 – November 4, 1886) was a Norwegian American immigrant, businessman, Republican politician, and Wisconsin pioneer. He was the first immigration commissioner of Wisconsin, serving from 1871 through 1873, and was the 17th mayor of Beloit, Wisconsin (1877–1879). During the American Civil War, he served with the 15th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment (the "Scandinavian Regiment"), he was a prisoner of war for half a year before escaping and returning to the regiment, which he then led as lieutenant colonel.

Ole Johnson
1st Immigration Commissioner of Wisconsin
In office
April 3, 1871 – December 31, 1873
GovernorLucius Fairchild
Cadwallader C. Washburn
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byMartin J. Argard
17th Mayor of Beloit, Wisconsin
In office
April 1877 – April 1879
Preceded byC. F. G. Collins
Succeeded byJohn Hackett
Sergeant-at-Arms of the Wisconsin State Assembly
In office
January 12, 1870 – January 11, 1871
Preceded byR. C. Kelly
Succeeded bySam Fifield
Personal details
Born(1838-02-23)February 23, 1838
Telemark, Sweden–Norway
DiedNovember 4, 1886(1886-11-04) (aged 48)
Beloit, Wisconsin, U.S.
Cause of deathDisease
Resting placeOakwood Cemetery, Beloit
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Freia Caroline Bødtker
(m. 1867⁠–⁠1886)
Children
  • Wilford Chickamauga Johnson Shipnes
  • (b. 1869; died 1941)
RelativesJohn Anders Johnson (brother)
EducationBeloit College
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Volunteers
Union Army
RankLt. Colonel, USV
Commands15th Reg. Wis. Vol. Infantry
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

For most of his career in America, he was known to use the surname "Johnson", but added the surname "Shipnes"—an Anglicization of his Norwegian birthplace—later in life.

Early life

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Ole Johnson was born on the Skipnes Farm, (Skibsnes), near Nordsjø, in Helgen Parish, Telemark, Norway. He came to the United States with his parents and four siblings, arriving in New York on board the Salvator, on July 6, 1844. The family went to Whitewater, Walworth County, Wisconsin. In 1852, they moved to Koshkonong, Wisconsin. Johnson studied law at Beloit College. He became a school teacher in Stoughton.

Civil War

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When the Civil War broke out, Johnson joined the Scandinavian Regiment (15th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment) and was appointed captain of Company B.[1][2] After the Battle of Perryville, Johnson was promoted to the rank of major. He took part in the battle of Murfreesboro and reached the rank of lieutenant colonel in March 1863.[2] The Scandavian Regiment was heavily mauled at the battle of Chickamauga with approximately 63% killed, wounded, or captured. Colonel Hans Christian Heg who had commanded the Regiment since its formation was killed and Johnson was captured.[1]

Johnson was held in Libby Prison in Virginia before it was decided in May 1864 to move him to another prison. At Chesterville, Johnson and two others escaped from the railroad car they were being transported in. After a month, the men were able to rejoin the Union Army at Strawberry Plains, Tennessee. Johnson was promoted to colonel and took command of the Scandinavian Regiment on July 24, 1864, remaining with the regiment until the expiration of the regiment's service in February 1865.[1]

Post Civil War

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After the war Johnson went into business and settled in Beloit, Rock County, Wisconsin, becoming active in the Republican Party. He became a partner in an agricultural instrument manufacturer in Beloit, called John Thompson & Co., which was his primary employment from 1870 to 1880. During that time, he was elected sergeant-at-arms of the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1870, and was then appointed the first state commissioner of immigration in 1871, by governor Lucius Fairchild. He served in that office until the end of 1873. He was then elected to two consecutive terms as mayor of Beloit, in 1877 and 1878. Later, he became president of the Watertown Bank.

Personal life and family

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Ole Johnson was one of at least four children born to Anders Johnson and his wife Aaste Bjørnsdatter. Ole's eldest brother was John Anders Johnson, who served as a member of the Wisconsin Senate and state Assembly, and was at one time the Democratic nominee for state Treasurer.[3]

Ole Johnson married Freia Caroline Bødtker on January 3, 1867. They had one son, Wilford Chickamauga Johnson Shipnes. In his later years, Johnson had adopted the last name "Shipnes", the name of his place of birth in Norway.

Ole Johnson died in Beloit on November 4, 1886.[4] His death was attributed to a stomach disease that he contracted during his time in Libby Prison.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Quiner, Edwin B. (1866). "Regimental History–Fifteenth Infantry". The Military History of Wisconsin. Clarke & Co. pp. 613–631. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  2. ^ a b "Fifteenth Regiment Infantry". Roster of Wisconsin Volunteers, War of the Rebellion, 1861–1865 (Report). Vol. 1. Office of the Adjutant General of Wisconsin. 1886. pp. 804, 808. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Col. O. C. johnson Shipnes". The Boscobel Dial. November 16, 1886. p. 1. Retrieved May 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Norwegians in the Civil War (Vesterheim Civil War Database)". Archived from the original on 2014-08-20. Retrieved 2009-07-03.
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Military offices
Preceded by Command of the 15th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment
July 24, 1864 – February 13, 1865
Regiment abolished
Wisconsin State Assembly
Preceded by
R. C. Kelly
Sergeant-at-Arms of the Wisconsin State Assembly
January 12, 1870 – January 11, 1871
Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by
C. F. G. Collins
Mayor of Beloit, Wisconsin
April 1877 – April 1879
Succeeded by
Government offices
New office established Immigration Commissioner of Wisconsin
April 3, 1871 – December 31, 1873
Succeeded by
Martin J. Argard