Henry was a 22-year-old immigrant farmer when he answered the call for soldiers to serve in the new artillery unit forming in Minnesota. Henry was living with his wife in Fillmore County, Minnesota, on February 20, 1862, when he signed the enlistment papers. Officially, he was 5' 9" tall, had hazel eyes, a light complexion and light hair.                 Born in Sostrand, Norway, on June 22, 1840, Henry came to Minnesota as a young man and began farming in southern Minnesota. On Christmas Day, 1860, he married Andrea Johnson. She also went by Anna, a nickname that caused confusion when she applied for a widow's pension later in life.                 Henry went south with the Second Minnesota Battery of Light Artillery in May of 1862 and served as a private, the only rank he held. He saw action in the battles at Perryville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga and other skirmishes before he decided not to reenlist. Henry's three years were up in February of 1864 and he decided he would not continue in the army. While those who had reenlisted went back to Minnesota for a veteran's furlough, Henry and others from the Second Minnesota Battery served on detached duty with the Second Illinois Battery, Company I. There, Henry saw more action in the battles for the city of Atlanta, Georgia.                 Henry went back to the Second Minnesota Battery in October of 1864 and mustered out on March 28, 1865. Henry returned to Minnesota and his family.                 In 1867, Henry moved his family to Sandness Township in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota. They began farming and raising their family which would grow to include nine children. Later in life, Henry and Andrea moved into nearby Hanley Falls.                 Henry died of "heart trouble" and "chronic bronchitis" on April 26, 1902. He was laid to rest in the Hanley Falls Cemetery.                 Andrea filed for a widow's pension and used both Andrea and Anna on the paperwork, something that confused the Pension Department. In order to determine she was the same person and entitled to a widow's pension, Andrea had to file her own deposition and have one filed by a reputable person who knew her. She sought the help of Henry's comrade in the Battery, Tennes Hanson. Tennes lived near them in Yellow Medicine County and field a deposition on Andrea's behalf. He stated that he knew both Andrea and Henry before their marriage and explained the difference in her name as the differences in language between her Norwegian birth and American life.                 Though Andrea applied for Henry's pension, she was fairly well off for 1902. Henry had left her with the farm, house and $5,000 in cash. This earned her an estimated annual income of $250, but that was her sole income as she was completely unable to work. Andrea lived alone until May 29, 1928, when she passed away. She was laid beside Henry in the Hanley Falls Cemetery.