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Title
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Waerenskjold, Elise (1815-1895)
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birthday
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1815-02-19
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Birthplace
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Dypvag parsonage, NO
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Death Date
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1895-01-22
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Occupation
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Author
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Teacher
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Biographical Text
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Elise Amalie Tvede Waerenskjold was a Norwegian author and teacher. She was born in Dypvag, NO, and upon her completion of education at nineteen, began teaching. This was an uncommon step for women at the time, and she is still honored in Norway as woman leader for her career tenacity. Waerenskjold founded two schools in Norway that achieved great success and remained open past her time of leaving them. From 1846 to 1847, Waerenskjold was editor of the publication Norge og Amerika, upon its founders Christian and Johan Reinert Reiersen immigrating to America. She left the position when she herself immigrated to the US. From her point of arrival, Waerenskjold became integrated in the Norwegian community of Texas, as well as the temperance movement. To support her family through difficult times, Waerenskjold would sell magazine subscriptions, books, and garden seed, as well as teach. Letters written by her from the 1840s-1890s contain valuable first-hand information on Norwegian immigrant life in Texas at the time. She wrote a public reply to Captain Tolmer's criticism of Texas, defending the local pioneer life. She wrote for many Norwegian publications, and was an active advocate for Norwegian immigration and settlements.
Waerenskjold married Svend Foyn in 1839. The two remained together until 1842, when their relationship ended in an amicable separation. On September 10, 1848, she married Wilhelm Waerenskjold, despite the fact that her formal divorce did not occur until January 10, 1849. Together they had three sons, the youngest of which passed in his childhood in January, 1866. This was followed by the death of Waernskjold's husband in November of the same year. Waerenskjold passed on January 22, 1895 at her son's home in Hamilton, TX.
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Contributor
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O'Neill, Iris
Elise Waerenskjold, Marker