In Loving Memory of

John E. Lerum

Headstone Dedication Service
September 27, 2003

John Lerum was born on December 27, 1842 at Runen, Lerum, Lester County Sogn og Fjordane, Norway.  In 1861, John immigrated to the United States.  John at the age of 19, enlisted on December 7, 1963 in Company I, 18th Infantry, in Wisconsin.  During his term of service, he became a rebel prisoner at the battle of Allatoona, Georgia and was released six months later in a prisoner exchange.  Private Lerum was mustered out of the service on July 18, 1865. 

In 1868, John and Lukris Nelson were married and in 1878, they moved to South Dakota, settling in Brookings County, Dakota Territory.  They had three children.  The family attended Lake Campbell Lutheran Church.  John died May 29, 1930.