Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-09-01
His Noble Life Cut Short by {
Rebel Bullet at the Battle
of ChiCamauga.

The Wisconsin republican state con-
yention did a wise thing in nominating
James Z. Heg, of Lake Geneva, for z
state Office.
1t was an act OF special consideration
for the great Norwegian element of
Badgerdom, in view Of the selection Of
another northman in the person Of Atty
Peterson for another position on the
ticket. Mr.. Heg comes from stock Of
the highest order of patriotism, and the
name he bears is enc of most honorable
distinction in the war history Of the ma
ton.
James Il. Heg's grandparents came -
Wisconsin from Norway in an early day
and were among the pioneers of Racine
county. With them came Hans c., the
father of James'E Heg. Hans G. Heg
was Il bright boy, and was given as
good an education as Wisconsin afford
ed in those early days. After reaching
his majority he soon became prominent
as a leader among the Norwegian
Americans. AS Il consequence he was
in 1859 nominated by the republicans
for the office of state prison commits
sioner. He was elected and served
from January, 1860, to January, 1862.
The war having broken out i'll the
meantime, Mr.. Heg patriotically left
politics to help put down the rebellion.
He received a COlunel's commission and
proceeded to organize Il regiment of
Scandina Wan Americans, that is to say,
I,,,+
Danes or SWedes in this state. He
soon succeeded, and Colonel Heg's sol
dierS We're in due time mustered into
the service as the fifteenth infantry
regiment of Wisconsin volunteers. This
regiment did excellent service on many
bloody battle field. Col. Heg was a
most gallant and capable commander,
but his military career was Il brief one,
a rebel bullet having cut it short in the
battle of Chicamauga in September,
1865. He was at the tine i'll command
of Il brigade. Elc died OH the battle
field. Ills death, though sad, brought
immortality to hts name and honor to
his nationality.
The fact that Col. Ueg's regiment
evidence of the patriotic devotion of
the Morse Americans to their adopted
country. This nationality group in
America furnished thousands of brave
soldiers to the union army, nearly every
regiment sent OUT from Wisconsin, Min
nesota, Iowa and northern IllinoiscOn-
tanning sons of the hardy old Vikings.
Of the fifteenth Wisconsin and it's
officers Il volume was Published after
the WaT by Hon. John A. Johnson, of
Madison. 1t appeared in the NOIwe-
gian language, ana hence the book is
but little known outside Of that ma
tionality. Money is now being collect
ed for the purpose Of erecting Il suitable
monument to the memory of the val
liant fifteenth regiment, and Mr.. Ole A.
BuSlett, of Waupaca, IN author of
note, is collecting materials for a vol
umc on the American NorScmen who
took part in the war to save the uniOn,
The book will show that the part borne
by this group of our citizens was a
most honorable one.
james e. Heg whom the republican
convention 50 highly honored, was
1lICit bpS NbNli tlS lItliCI lei dI SlllC
amauga. His mother removed with her
children to BelOit for the purpose of
educating her children. james is, we
believe, Il graduate of Beloit college
Although yet young man, he is by no
means unknown to the public. Several
years ago he bought the Lake Geneva
Herald, 4 paper which he has edited
With signal ability. He has edited sew
eral editions of the Wisconsin blue
book and held high positionsjn the Wis
conSin Editorial association, being its
president now. He is Il man of decided
ability, sterling integrity fine social
qualities and, in addition, he possesses
the rare quality Of being modest and
unaSSuming. He does not pose as the
son of his father, but is content to be
the architect of his own fortune.
The republican convention did wise
thing in recognizing the American
NorSe1nen by nominating Alley Peter
son for state treasurer, but it builded
more wisely than it knew when it took
UP Mr.. Heg, whose name reviVeS in
thousands of Morse hearts the memory
of his father, who occupies a unique
and most honorable position in the his
tory of Morse immigration to America