We are pleased to have Stoughton resident Steve Fortney talk about Colonel Hans Heg and the journey taken in writing a historical novel about this important Norwegian immigrant.  Hans was from a modest origin and came as a child to the Wisconsin territory in 1840. Heg became a rising young politician who found slavery abhorrent. He was a major in the 4th Wisconsin Militia and served as Wisconsin State Prison Commissioner. He was the first Norwegian-born candidate elected statewide in Wisconsin. With the outbreak of the Civil War, Heg was appointed by Governor Alexander Randall as colonel of the 15th Wisconsin Volunteer Regiment.

Steve Fortney is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin in Classics and Philosophy, and is a log-time Stoughton resident.  Once receiving his teaching certification, he became a secondary teacher,  Later he was a union negotiator and served as an alderman on Stoughton City Council.  In 1995 he took early retirement to devote himself full time to writing.  Along with his historical novel, Heg, his work  also includes a book of poems, eleven novels, and two books of essays.   He hold memberships in Madison Torsk Klubben where he currently serves as “boss,” Grieg Chorus, and Mandt Lodge Sons of Norway.