Civil War Veterans Buried In Washington State - Tobias Oleson

Tobias C. Oleson

Representing: Union


G.A.R Post

  • John Buford Post #89 Everett, Snohomish Co. WA

Unit History

  • 1st Minnesota Heavy Artillery Battery D

See full unit history

Tobias Oleson
Full Unit History

1st MINNESOTAL VOLUNTEER HEAVY ARTILLERY
Organized: 9/1/64
Mustered Out: June and September, 1865

Regimental History

REGIMENTAL HISTORY:                                                                     

 

In May, 1864 Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and the Army of The Potomac moved southward into Virginia for what was to be the final chapter in four bloody years of Civil War. In order to maximize the number of troops in the field, many heavy artillery units were withdrawn from garrison duty and turned into infantry regiments. To fill the defensive void created by departure of these units, a number of short term infantry and artillery regiments were raised and assigned to garrison and guard duty. The 1st Minnesota Heavy Artillery was one such unit.

 

The 1st a one year "western theatre" regiment was composed of twelve 140 man companies. As soon as companies were raised, organized and mustered into Federal service they were sent to Chattanooga, TN where they were placed in charge of the heavy guns and forts in the area. This was considered a responsible assignment as it was thought troops under the command of Confed. Gen. John Bell Hood would attempt to recapture the city from Federal forces. The 1st remained in Chattanooga until after the close of the war. 

Soldier History

SOLDIER:
Residence: Enterprise, MN   Age: 28.9 yrs. (est.)
Enlisted/Enrolled: 9/24/64 Fremont, MN   Rank: Pvt.
Mustered In: 10/8/64
Discharged: 6/20/65
Highest Rank: Pvt.

Family History

PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:

 

Although one source notes the date as 11/25/36, the preponderance of evidence points to future Civil war soldier Tobias C. Oleson likely being born 12/20/35 in Norway.  With that said, available documentation is unclear when it comes to pinpointing the region/city/town of his birth.

 

While one document indicates Tobias’ father was Ole Jacobi Folkson, the family surname was most likely Kjelland with Oleson (Ole's Son) being adopted when the family immigrated to America in 1850. Support for this theory comes from the fact that in later years two of Tobias's sons (Theodore Adolph and Wilhelm T.) changed their last name from Oleson to Kjelland. Also, available records are unclear when it comes to Tobias’ mother’s name which is noted as Intere Serene.  It is not known if Serene was her middle name or her maiden surname.  What is documented is that Tobia had at least two brothers and one sister: Ole A. (b. 1838 Norway), Christian (b. 1848 Norway) and Trine (b. 1853 MN).   

 

Circa 1860 Tobias married Ingaborg M. "Emelia" Jacobson (b. 1843 Norway). The couple produced twelve children:  Brent/Benett Jacobi (4/4/61 MN), Emelia Serene (7/25/62 MN), Engeborg Malene (6/27/66 MN),  Ingaberg Malene (10/1/68 MN), Elvilde Malene (b. 12/24/70), John Severene (b.5/14/71, WI) Emma Matilde (10/20/72), Ela Josephine (b. 10/17/74), Theodore Adolph (b. 7/16/77), Elvin Suprian (b. 5/10/79), Arnold (b. 2/27/81) and  Wilhelm T. (b. 5/29/83). (Only five were alive by 1915: Emelia, Emma, Ella, Adolph and Wilhelm)

 

In 1860 Tobias and his family was residing in Enterprise, Winona Co., MN. Listed in the home at that time were his brother, Christrian, sister, Trine, and his father, Ole. All males were noted as farmers.

 

In 1864 the 5'5 1/2", grey eyed, fair complexioned Tobias  entered the U.S. Army for a period of one year or the duration of the war. Enlistment was likely accompanied by receipt of a financial bonus or "bounty." Private Oleson's period of service was apparently benign as he was always listed as present for duty and his unit never came under enemy fire. Exiting the army Tobias returned to Minnesota, his family and farming.

 

During the years immediately following the War the Oleson's remained in Minnesota, but apparently made a move within the state. By 1872, however, they had removed from Minnesota to Wisconsin.  In the years following Tobias resided in at least five locations within Wisconsin. In that state in 1889 he applied for a government disability pension claiming exposure to the elements during his military tenure had resulted in disease of the heart and lungs. On 9/26/95, in Wisconsin, Ingaberg died.

 

The U.S. Census of 1900 listed Tobias in Red Cedar, Dunne Co., WI. He was working in a saw mill. Also in the home as a woman named Ella noted as a servant, son Adolph also working in the mill, and Emily Oleson (b. 5/1819 1 child, 1 living and listed as mother). Four years later Tobias was in Stanley, Chippewa Co., WI suffering from throat disease rochitis, deafness of left ear, rheumatism and heart trouble and totally unable to perform manual labor.

 

By 1907 Tobias had moved to Spokane, WA. In 1908 he was in Everett, WA, although he was nowhere to be found in the 1910 census, his son Adolph, who had by then adopted the last name Kjelland, lived in Granite Falls, Snohomish County, Washington.

 

In 1915 Tobias turned up once again, this time in east Stanwood, Snohomish County, WA. However, with whom he was residing was not noted. Likely, however, it was Adolph because with the1920 census Tobias is noted with Adolph and family in Everett.

 

On 6/16/23 Tobias Oleson, former Civil War soldier, widower and retied farmer died at 3004 Everett Ave., Everett, WA. Notifying authorities of the passing was Adolph Kjelland. Cause of death was listed as chronic myocarditis (heart trouble), arteriole sclerosis (hardened arteries), chronic (something) and chronic (something.) Contributing factors were acute pleurisy, and (something) dialation. At his passing Tobias was aged 87.  Burial was in Everett’s Evergreen Cemetery.

Cemetery

Buried at Evergreen Cemetery Everett
Row: 26
Site: 478

Adopt-a-Vet Sponsor

Elaine Terry
Marysville, WA


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