Tulane University in New Orleans in 1994, as her husband had done earlier. In 1995 they were both doing college teaching while pursuing doctoral degrees at Tulane, Catherine in English and Michael in history.

Harland is the first of 3 sons of Hartvig (1897-1980) and Mabel Solum (1900-1991) Nelson, who farmed near Barnesville, MN. His forebears emigrated from Numedal, Hadeland, Sogn and Gudbrandsdal in Norway. Corinne is the 2nd of 4 children of Martin (1891-1960) and Marie Sletten (1893-1971) Rye, who farmed near Irene, SD. Her ancestors came from Meldahl, Folldal and Biri in Norway.

Nelson, Nels and Barbara (Foss)

(Mildred Kjome)

Nels Halsteinsen Bakke was born 15 Aug 1853 at Bakke near Gudvangen in Sogn, the youngest child of Halstein Nelson Bakke and Marta Ivarsdtr Loven. He was less than a year old when his parents immigrated to America. His mother died of cholera crossing the Great Lakes. Nels was carried in his father’s arms from Milwaukee to Winneshiek Co. where they made their home first with his uncle in Frankville Twp. and later in Highland Twp. His father remarried in 1863. Nels attended the Kjome school and received his religious education at Big Canoe Church. Nels was ambitious so his father sent him off to broaden his education. On 2 Feb 1878 Nels married Barbara Marie Foss. Nels became a teacher and taught for a time at Blackhammer, Newburg and Aitken schools. He also tried keeping a store, worked in Decorah as a Federal officer, an insurance company official, Clerk of Court of Winneshiek Co., and postmaster. In 1910 the Nelsons left Decorah to reside in Mabel, MN where Nels went into banking.

Nels and Barbara’s children were: Henry Eugene, Andrew Albert (died young), Andrew Augustus, Mabel Jeanette (m. Lyman Andrew Fries), Norman M. William (died young), Amy Marie (m. Rev. Joseph O. Ensrud), George William, James Charles and Norman Hamilton.

Nels died in Mabel 27 Sep 1940. Barbara died 18 Nov 1951. Nels and Barbara are buried in the Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah.

Nelson, Nels and Mari (Ljones)

(Sonja Hicken)

On 16 Mar 1833 my great-grandfather Nils Olai Nilssen Lepsoy was born south of Bergen, Norway on Lepsoy Island in Hordaland. He would change his name to Nels Olai Nelson when he immigrated to America in 1863.

Nels Olai was the 7th of 8 children born to Nils Pedersen and Brita Ellingsdtr (Sundoy) Lepsoy. One of their children died in infancy. Nils Olai’s father, as the eldest son in his family, had been given the Lepsoen farm in 1805 where he was both a farmer and fisherman until his death 30 Nov 1857. Nils Olai was only 8 years old when his mother Brita died 2 Nov 1841.

Nils Olai’s eldest brother Elling was the next to inherit the Lepsoen farm but just a few years later he decided to sell it and bring his family to America. Elling, his wife, their children and his sister left Norway in May 1862. They settled in Allamakee Co., IA, where they farmed.

It isn't known where Nels Nelson first settled in America but at the time of his marriage he was residing in Winneshiek Co. On 6 Oct 1866 he married Mary Pedersdtr at the Methodist Scandinavian Church. This was probably the Washington Prairie Methodist Church where early church records indicate Nels and Mary Nelson were members.

Nels O. Nelson and family Nels and Marcy (seated). Charles N. and Betsey. August 1893

My great-grandmother was born Mari Pedersdtr Ljones 15 Apr 1832 to Peder Olsen and Anna Christophersdtr (Godoy) Ljones. The Ljones farm was located on the north shore of the Hardangerfjord in Hordaland, Norway. Mari’s father was a farmer and fisherman. Her father died in 1846. Her Mother Anna died 26 Sep 1882 in Hordaland. When Mari left Norway in Apr 1862 she left behind the Ljones farm name choosing to be Mary or Marit Pedersdtr in America. While none of Mari’s brothers or sisters came to America her sister Kari’s children did immigrate. Hans Hanson Oma came in 1888, Ingeborg (Isabell) and Anna Maria (Mary) Hanson in 1889. They all settled in IL. It is

Charles and Elise (Rustad) Nelson December 19, 1907