The Papers of Else Elisabeth Koren

The Papers of Else Elisabeth Koren, 1841-1986 | Luther College Archives

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Collection Overview

Title: The Papers of Else Elisabeth Koren, 1841-1986

ID: LCA/RG15/Koren, E

Primary Creator: Koren, Elisabeth (1832-1918)

Extent: 1.2 Linear Feet. More info below.

Languages: Norwegian, English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Documentation consists of Koren family correspondence; diary (transcript, translation, finished book); family photographs; poems by Koren familiy; architect drawings; photocopied articles; "Autobiographical Account" by P. Schonevik and Stub Koren; book "Fra Pioneertiden" selections from the diary of E. Koren and letters from the 1850's; information; songs; and articles about the Koren family. An acquisition in 2013 also includes several "America Letters," letters written by Koren to her family in Norway between 1853 and 1867.

Biographical Note

Else Elisabeth Hysing was born May 24, 1832 in Larvik, Norway to a distinguished, upper-class family. Although slightly deaf from childhood, this did not deter her education as she was privately tutored by teachers at her father’s school and also attended dance school. Elisabeth was married to Ulrik Vilhelm Koren on August 18, 1853. They left for America less than a month later.

The Korens’ journey to American and their first two years in Northeast Iowa were recorded by Elisabeth Koren in her diary published in 1955. With courage and conviction, Elisabeth faced all the hardships pioneer life afforded and emerged to become the kind and accomplished mistress of the Washington Prairie parsonage until her death in 1918.

The original diary and its transciption are in this collection along with some correspondence and poems. Also included is a drawing of Washnigton Prarie parsonage showing floor plans, exterior design, and the ground surrounding the house.

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Se også Isaak B. Torrisons brev fra E. Koren. Else Elisabeth Hysing ble født i Larvik 24. mai 1832 i en velkjent overklassefamilie. Hun hadde dårlig hørsel som liten, men lot ikke dette komme i veien for utdannelsen. Hun ble undervist hjemme av lærere fra skolen til hennes far og hun gikk også på danseskole. Elisabeth giftet seg med Ulrik Vilhelm Koren 18. august 1853 og de dro til Amerika under en måned etter vielsen. Om reisa til Amerika og de to første årene i nordøst Iowa forteller Elisabeth i dagboka si. Hun møtte, med mot og selvtillit, alle vanskeligheter som preget pionerlivet. Hun var prestekone på Washington Prairie prestegård til hun døde i 1918.

Administrative Information

Repository: Luther College Archives

Alternate Extent Statement: 3 boxes

Use Restrictions: Though we may hold the property rights, Luther College Archives does not hold the copyrights for all materials. Individuals may use materials for non-commercial, private use, but commercial users must secure permissions from the copyright holders and/or Luther College Archives to reproduce, publish, or quote protected materials and photographs. For more information about the Luther College copyright and fair use policy, please visit https://www.luther.edu/copyright/

Preferred Citation: Cite unpublished materials: Else Elisabeth Koren Papers, RG15 Manuscripts, Luther College Archives, Decorah, Iowa

Finding Aid Revision History:

5/20/24: Hayley Jackson and Ellie Gisvold updated collection to include the America Letters, update extent, scope and contents.

11/20/19: EC updated the preferred citation.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1: The Papers of Elisabeth Koren, 1853-1973, n.d.],
[Box 2: America Letters, 1853-1860],
[Box 3: America Letters, 1860-1867, n.d.],
[Box test001: test, 5/28/24],
[All]

Box 2: America Letters, 1853-1860

Folder 1: Letter 1, September 15, 1853
Folder 2: Letter 2, September 28, 1853
Folder 3: Letter 3, November 23, 1853
Folder 4: Letter 4, December 12 1853
Folder 5: Letter 5, December 25 (Christmas Day), 1853
Folder 6: Letter 6, January 26, 1854
Folder 7: Letter 7, March 9, 1854
Folder 8: Letter 8, May 22, 1854
Folder 9: Letter 9, June 28, 1854
Folder 10: Letter 10, July 7, 1854
Folder 11: Letter 11, August 3, 1854
Folder 12: Letter 12, September 20, 1854
Folder 13: Letter 13, October 14, 1854
Folder 14: Letter 14, December 20, 1854
Folder 15: Letter 15, April 8 (Easter), 1855
Folder 16: Letter 16, April 19, 1855
Folder 17: Letter 17, May 4, 1855
Folder 18: Letter 18, June 10, 1855
Folder 19: Letter 19, June 24, 1855
Folder 20: Letter 20, July 22, 1855
Folder 21: Letter 21, July 23, 1855
Folder 22: Letter 22, September 9, 1855
Folder 23: Letter 23, September 11, 1855
Folder 24: Letter 24, September 28, 1855
Folder 25: Letter 25, October 28, 1855
Folder 26: Letter 26, 1856
Folder 27: Letter 27, February 7, 1856
Folder 28: Letter 28, March 23 (Easter), 1856
Folder 29: Letter 29, March 23 (Easter), 1856
Folder 30: Letter 30, June 9, 1856
Folder 31: Letter 31, June 29, 1856
Folder 32: Letter 32, July 7, 1856
Folder 33: Letter 33, August 10, 1856
Folder 34: Letter 34, August 22, 1856
Folder 35: Letter 35, September 13, 1856
Folder 36: Letter 36, October 1, 1856
Folder 37: Letter 37, October 17, 1856
Folder 38: Letter 38, October 20, 1856
Folder 39: Letter 39, November 24, 1856
Folder 40: Letter 40, December 5, 1856
Folder 41: Letter 41, February 14, 1857
Folder 42: Letter 42, February 18, 1857
Folder 43: Letter 43, April 9 (Maundy Thursday), 1857
Folder 44: Letter 44, April 22, 1857
Folder 45: Letter 45, June 22, 1857
Folder 46: Letter 46, June 24, 1857
Folder 47: Letter 47, July 31, 1857
Folder 48: Letter 48, August 2, 1857
Folder 49: Letter 49, September 4, 1857
Folder 50: Letter 50, November 22, 1857
Folder 51: Letter 51, November 22, 1857
Folder 52: Letter 52, January 10, 1858
Folder 53: Letter 53, February 18, 1858
Folder 54: Letter 54, March 14, 1858
Folder 55: Letter 55, March 18, 1858
Folder 56: Letter 56, April 11, 1858
Folder 57: Letter 57, July 2, 1858
Folder 58: Letter 58, July 25, 1858
Folder 59: Letter 59, September 5, 1858
Folder 60: Letter 60, September 7, 1858
Folder 61: Letter 61, November 1, 1858
Folder 62: Letter 62, November 4, 1858
Folder 63: Letter 63, November 7 (All Saints Day), 1858
Folder 64: Letter 64, 1859
Folder 65: Letter 65, January 18, 1859
Folder 66: Letter 66, January 20, 1859
Folder 67: Letter 67, February 6, 1859
Folder 68: Letter 68, March 3, 1859
Folder 69: Letter 69, April 24, (Easter), 1859
Folder 70: Letter 70, May 29, 1859
Folder 71: Letter 71, July 29, 1859
Folder 72: Letter 72, July 31, 1859
Folder 73: Letter 73, September 26, 1859
Folder 74: Letter 74, November 20, 1859
Folder 75: Letter 75, November 24, 1859
Folder 76: Letter 76, December 4, 1859
Folder 77: Letter 77, January 26, 1860
Folder 78: Letter 78, January 27, 1860
Folder 79: Letter 79, April 8 (Easter), 1860

Browse by Box:

[Box 1: The Papers of Elisabeth Koren, 1853-1973, n.d.],
[Box 2: America Letters, 1853-1860],
[Box 3: America Letters, 1860-1867, n.d.],
[Box test001: test, 5/28/24],
[All]