Ole Jacob and Johanne Johannesdtr were married in 1867 or 68 in Winneshiek Co, IA, Johanne was born 24 Sep 1839, Karsrud farm, Vestre Toten, to Johannes Christiansen and Oline Johannesdtr.

Parish records indicate she left Norway for America, a single girl, age 28, on 2 Apr 1867. Her exact departure date is not known as it would be some period after she left the parish. There were six children born of this marriage. John (m. Anna Nelson) born 24 Dec 1868; Minnie (m. Helge Haugsrud) born 23 May 1870; Josephine (m. Knute Braaten) born 22 Oct 1873; Edward (m. Clara Bergen) born 17 Feb 1876; Olaf (m. Marie Olson) born 23 May 1878; and Inga (m. Julius Ouandahl) born 2 Nov 1880. Ole and Johanne farmed in Section 16, Canoe Twp and became members of the Hauge congregation in that area on 8 Sep 1874. They were active in organizing efforts to purchase land and to build the Hauge Lutheran Church. Johanne was a charter member of the Ladies Aid.

Johanne Korsen died 10 Jan 1883 at the age of 45. She was buried at Hauge Cemetery.

Ole Jacob Korsen then married Julia Christiansdtr Grinstad on 14 Feb 1885 in Winneshiek Co. Julia was born 28 Mar 1865 at Grinstad farm to Christian Johannensen and Helene Olsdtr. Julia's father, Christian, was a brother of Ole Jacob's first wife. Julia came to America in 1882 and lived with Ole and her aunt Johanne before Johanne’s death. There were six children born of the second marriage. Carl (m. Florence Lange) born 25 May 1885; Elmer Melvin (m. Emma Young) born 16 Jan 1887; Johanne Jennie (m. Joe Overacker) born 13 Jan 1889; Emma (m. Arne Kirkeby) born 12 Apr 1891; FrederikaTeodora Doris (m. John Kval) born 19 Feb 1893; and Olga (m. Fred Iverson) born 26 Oct 1894.

Left to right: Julia, Inga, Ole Korsen, Jennie, Carl and Melvin.

Ole Jacob and Julia continued to live in the log cabin that Ole had built on the farm in Canoe Twp. Ole died 8 Sep 1894 and was buried at Hauge Cemetery, Canoe Twp. Juiia lived on the farm with her children until about 1910, when she moved to the home of her daughter Olga, Mrs. Fred Iverson. After her daughter Olga’s death, she moved to Decorah where she died 18 Dec 1960, age 95, at the home of her daughter Jennie, Mrs. Joe Overacker. Julia Korsen was buried at Hauge Cemetery, Canoe Twp.

Koudelka, Frank and Lydia (Barloon)

(JoAnn C. Dostal)

Frank and Lydia Barloon Koudelka

Frank Koudelka was born 4 Apr 1888, the youngest son of John J. and Kathryn (Fend) Koudelka. He remained on the family farm with his parents. On 2 Jun 1914 he married Lydia Barloon, daughter of Joseph and Anna (Hanosh) Barloon. Frank and Lydia had three children. They lived for a short time in New Hampton, IA, where Frank worked as a carpenter. After moving back to the family farm, they farmed until their retirement to Protivin, IA. In the mid 1940’s, a tornado hit their farm and destroyed most of the buildings and many large trees. Fortunately the house was spared and they did have a cyclone cellar, like many farms did at that time where they went for protection from the storm. The buildings were all rebuilt but it was a frightening experience. Frank also had a talent for music. At one time he played the violin which was passed on to his grandson Lawrence Voyek when he was in grade school. Frank also enjoyed reading. Lydia was a great seamstress and also did crocheting and other crafts. Their children are: Clara (b. 24 Sep 1915) married Frank Voyek 10 Oct 1933. They farmed in Sumner Twp on the Voyek family farm. Their story is listed under the Voyek biography. Alice (b. 7 Dec 1916) married William Pechota 28 Aug 1934 and moved to a farm in Chickasaw Co and later retired to Protivin. Louis  married Hermina Ott 7 Jun 1947. Louis and Hermina purchased the family farm from Frank and Lydia farming the land until their retirement. Presently, an acreage, part of the original farmstead is owned by Louis and Hermina's daughter and son-in-law, Dean and Lori Lais.

This land has been in the Koudelka family for 128 years.