Ole C. Johnson

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.

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.

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.

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]

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.

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]

• 15th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment
• Wisconsin Board of Immigration
• Norske Gaardnavne (v.7, p. 174 Bratsberg Amt by O. Rygh with A. Kjær. 1914)