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.