According to his death certificate he was born in Norway, but according to his enlistment papers in the 3rd Arkansas Cavalry he was born in Bond County, Illinois. A resident of Beloit, Rock County, Wisconsin when he enlisted under the alias Knud Johnson as a Private in Company G, 15th Wisconsin Infantry on 5 Oct 1861. Deserted on 17 May 1863. To clear himself of desertion, he enlisted in the 3rd Arkansas Cavalry for three years at Little Rock, Arkansas. Mustered in as a Private in Company K on 8 Jan 1864. From 1 Mar to 31 Aug 1864 on detached duty as orderly at Regimental headquarters. Promoted to 8th Corporal on 19 Oct 1864. Promoted to 6th Corporal on 27 Mar 1865. Mustered out at Lewisburg, Conway County, Arkansas on 22 May 1865. Discharged at Lewisburg, Arkansas. A member of Custer Post No. 6 of Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington. Died in Tacoma, Washington. He is buried in a G.A.R. section of the cemetery.