Olaf Simensen Kjernlie

Ole Simensen Kjernlie was very tall, but somewhat thinly-built and slender. He stood straight and erect and held his head fairly upright. He was nearsighted and always wore glasses. He had a full head of dark hair. He was remembered as a very gifted man with major interests: he kept many newspapers and magazines, had a relatively well-rounded collection of books and he took part in the cultural life of the times.He had exquisite handwriting which gave him opportunities to contribute in many areas were the pen is used. Apparently, he was a little slow, but sure in his speech and calm in demeanor; strict and instilled respect in his children. Fun and games were not for him, though he could go along with others enjoying themselves.

Between 1853 and 1860 there was some uncertainty about his name. In his surviving writings, he often used O. Simensen along side of O. Kjernli (without the 'e' ending). Even his full name, Ole Simensen Kjernlien was used to some extent between 1854 and 1860, although O. Kjernli was more common after November 10, 1854. On April 13, 1858 it became O. S. Kjernlie (with the 'e' ending), and this spelling became more or less absolute from October 21, 1860. The name Kjernlien refers to a pond (written with 'kj' long ago in Gausdal, as in 'kjern') on the farm property which included a hill of sorts ('li' meaning 'hill'). Thus a combination of both words: Kjernli.

Ole Simensen graduated with high honors from School Teacher's Seminary in Land on July 16, 1861 at age 21 and on June 24 he was appointed District School Teacher in Nykirken Parish. A permanent one story school building with two classrooms and teacher housing was built in 1863 and he worked there as a teacher the rest of his life. In 1864 he was appointed choir leader at Nykirken's Annex Church in Gausdal, which was erected in 1784. In 1878 it became the main church in the newly-formed Vestre Gausdal Parish. He also was the town treasurer in Gausdal from 1862-69 and in Vestre Gausdal until his death.

Ole Simensen married Agnethe Amundsdatter Ulsrud on June 16, 1862 in Gausdal. By Christmas 1863 they were living at Nykirken School and lived there for about seven years. On November 22, 1870 Ole Simensen Kjernlie bought the Søndre Brendum farm and later Nordre Brendum and in 1880 Lille-Brendum, making several improvements and additions until his death in 1882. They had 10 children.