Ole Johnson | |
|---|---|
| 1st Immigration Commissioner of Wisconsin | |
| In office April 3, 1871 – December 31, 1873 | |
| Governor | Lucius Fairchild Cadwallader C. Washburn |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Martin J. Argard |
| 17th Mayor of Beloit, Wisconsin | |
| In office April 1877 – April 1879 | |
| Preceded by | C. F. G. Collins |
| Succeeded by | John Hackett |
| Sergeant-at-Arms of the Wisconsin State Assembly | |
| In office January 12, 1870 – January 11, 1871 | |
| Preceded by | R. C. Kelly |
| Succeeded by | Sam Fifield |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 23, 1838 Telemark, Sweden–Norway |
| Died | November 4, 1886 (aged 48) Beloit, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Cause of death | Disease |
| Resting place | Oakwood Cemetery, Beloit |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Freia Caroline Bødtker
(m. 1867–1886) |
| Children |
|
| Relatives | John Anders Johnson (brother) |
| Education | Beloit College |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Volunteers Union Army |
| Rank | Lt. Colonel, USV |
| Commands | 15th Reg. Wis. Vol. Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War
|
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.