John was born in 1839 in Norway, son of Amund and Maret Rosten. He died April 18, 1892, at Cumberland, Barron County, Wisconsin, and was buried in the Comstock Cemetery, Comstock, Barron County, Wisconsin. His military style gravestone was inscribed "Sgt. John Rosten Co. K. 46 Ill. Inf."

On March 29, 1867, John was united in marriage with Berit (Betsey) Olson, at Caledonia, Houston County, Minnesota. She was born August 2, 1847, in Norway, immigrated to the United States in 1886, and died January 8, 1908. Her place of death and burial are unknown. Their known children, were:

Ingernallie 1869
Andrew 1873
Olena 1876
Josephine born 5 Jan 1878
Sevina 3 Feb 1880
Bertha C. 5 Nov 1882
Minnie 20 Feb 1884
Tillie 2 May 1888, died 21 Apr 1898.
Joseph Randolph 12 Jun 1891, died 16 Feb 1894.

Tillie and Joseph died in infancy. Their gravestones are inscribed "Tillie Rosten Died April 21, 1898 Aged 9 Y. 11M 10D." and "Jos. Randolph Died Feb 16, 1894 Age 2Y 8Ms 4 D."

The above children were under the age of 16 years at the time of John's death. They were pensioned at the rate of $2.00 per month until they reached the age of 16 years.

In the 1880 U.C. Census, John A. Hoston was a 41 year old farmer, living in the North Half of Turtle Lake Township with his 30 year old wife Betsey and their children: Ingernallie, age 11; Andrew, age 7; Olena, age 4; Josephine, age 2; and 4 months old Sevina Roston.

In the 1890 U.S. Census, Special Schedule, John Rosten, who had enlisted as John Amundson, was listed as living in Cumberland, Post Office Comstock, Barron County, Wisconsin, and as having served as a Private in Company K of the 4th Illinois Infantry, from October 4, 1862, to March 1864, for total service of 1 year and 5 months.

John was a Civil War veteran who enlisted October 4, 1861, at Camp Cowan, Caladonia, Minnesota, to serve three years as a Private in the 46th Illinois Infantry. On December 30, 1861, he was mustered into Federal service with Company K at Camp Butler, near Springfield, Illinois. At that time he was listed as 20 years of age and a resident of Freeport, Stephenson, County, Illinois.

On the muster roll of September 1, 1862 to February 28, 1863, it was noted that John's pay had been stopped $3.00 by order of B. Domblosen. On the muster rolls of March/April and May/June, 1863, it was noted that he was absent on detached service with the Brigade Provost Guard.

On January 4, 1864, John was mustered out of Federal service at Camp Cowan, Vicksburg, Mississippi, to date December 19, 1863, in order to reenlist the next day for three years as a veteran volunteer, and qualify for the $400.00 reenlistment bounty. At that time he was listed as a 31 year old, 6 foot tall farmer, with dark hair, blue eyes and a fair complexion, born in Norway. On the muster roll of Nov./Dec., 1863, his rank was noted as Corporal. On the muster rolls of May/June and July/August, 1865, it was noted that he was absent on sick furlough, and pay stopped $10.92 for transportation. On the muster roll of Sep./Oct., 1865, it was noted that he was absent sick at Spring Grove, Minnesota. On December 31, 1865, he was appointed Sergeant, vice William Kellogg promoted.

During his military service, John came down with Typhoid fever for which he was treated April 2, 1862, and released April 6, 1862. He was treated for intermittent fever from April 5th to April 15, 1864. In September 30, 1864, he was admitted to the regimental hospital suffering from diarrhea and released October 24, 1864. He was admitted eight more times for treatment of the disease, before his discharge.

On January 20, 1866, John was mustered out of Federal service at Baton Rouge, La. On the muster out roll it was noted that he was due $38.60 of his clothing allowance and $190.00 of his reenlistment bounty. He was listed as having participated in the battle of Fort Donaldson, Feb. 15-16, 1862; Shiloh, April 6-7, 1862; Siege of Conrinth, Miss., 1862; Battle of Hatchee River, Oct 5, 1862; Siege of Vicksburg, Miss., 1863; Siege of Jackson, Miss., 1863; Battle of Jackson, Miss., July 6-7, 1864; Siege of Blakeley, Alabama, April 9, 1865, and occupation of Mobile, April 12, 1865.

After his discharge, John moved to Minnesota, where he resided first in Houston County, moving in 1868, to Winona County. In 1872, he moved to Comstock, Barron County, Wisconsin, and lived out the rest of his days in that county.

On June 28, 1880, John filed Application No. 390,316, for an Invalid Veteran's Pension, which was approved under Certificate No. 309,117. On and unknown date, Betsey Rosten filed Application No. 553,590, for a Widow's Pension, which was approved under Certificate No. 474,134.

References: 1880 U.S. Census, Notrh Half of Turtle Lake Township, formerly Lakeland Township, Barron County, Wisconsin, June 1880, ED 193, page 18, Line 7, Family 164/168. 1890 U.S. Census, Special Schedule, Cumberland, Barron County, Wisconsin, June 1890, ED 9, Page 2, Line 15, Family 145/146.

Obituary

Sudden Death.

Mr. John Rosten, a prominent farmer living near Comstock, died very suddenly on Monday evening, of apoplexy. He was sick only a short time and his sudden death was a great surprise to the community. Mr. Rosten was about 63 years of age and has always been very rugged. He leaves a wife and large family of children who will sadly miss the fostering care of a husband and father at this time, and to whom sympathy is freely extended. The funeral was held Wednesday, when an old resident, an honored soldier, and an exemplary man in all respects was laid to rest. [April 21, 1892, Cumberland Advocate, Cumberland, Wisconsin.]

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