AKER, Lars Knudsen

MN 3rd Inf Co D. Residence: Red Wing, Goodhue County, Minnesota. Born 19 Sep 1825 in Lærdal, Telemark, Norway, the son of Knud Saavesen Aaker and Mari Larsdatter Hægtvedt. Came to America with his parents and five siblings, on the “Præciosa”, which sailed from Skien, Telemark, and reached New York on 22 Aug 1845. Settled in Dane County, Wisconsin. Married Kathrine Helvig Olsdatter Westrem of Graven Parish, Hardanger, at East Koshkonong Church on 13 Feb 1853. Three children. Moved to Goodhue County, Minnesota, in 1857. Elected to the Minnesota Legislature; he resigned his seat to accept, on 4 Oct 1861, a commission as a First Lieutenant. Civil War: Age 36. Mustered 10 Oct 1861. Resigned his commission on 30 Mar 1862 because of ill health. Post war: Moved to Alexandria, Minnesota. His wife died 25 Feb 1879. Married Karen Celisa Olsdatter Akre of Karmoen Island on 23 Aug 1882. Four children. In 1884, they moved to Crookston, Minnesota. He died in Crookston 13 Aug 1895. He was buried at Alexandria, Minnesota. Sources: (MCIW p184) (MINN p119, 136) (“History of the Scandinavians in the United States”, by O. N. Nelson. Publ. Minneapolis, 1893. p315) (“America-America Letters”, Norwegian-American Historical Association, publ 2001, p xxi, pp 105-157, photo p 106) (Ulvestad p256) (Naeseth ’45-1006) “Akers, Lars” “Aaker, Lars”