Grundy County IL Archives Biographies.....Nelson, O J 
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Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com May 13, 2006, 7:28 pm

Author: History of Grundy County, 1914

Nelson, O. J., It would be difficult to discover any of the various activities 
of Morris which have not enlisted the attention of O. J. Nelson.  Primarily a 
business man, handling large insurance interests, he possesses those peculiar 
talents so necessary to the successful salesman of policies; but it is 
probable that he has a still wider reputation as a public speaker, for no 
event of importance is complete unless he is called upon for one of his 
characteristic speeches. Withal, he is a sturdy and helpful citizen, and an 
influence for the greatest advancement and progress in civic affairs.

Mr. Nelson was born in Norway, in 1847, and is a son of John and Annie (Olson) 
Nelson, who left their native land and came to the United States in 1858, 
first settling on a farm in Kendall County, Ill. The country schools of that 
rural community furnished Mr. Nelson with his educational training, but when a 
lad of seventeen years he laid aside his school books and shouldered a musket 
in defense of his adopted country’s flag, enlisting at Lisbon, Ill., in 
Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, May 24, 
1864. The greater part of his exciting military service was passed in 
the “bushwhacker” country of Missouri, and October 14, 1864, Mr. Nelson 
received his honorable discharge with an excellent war record. Returning to 
his Kendall County home, he resided there until September, 1866, when he came 
to Morris and obtained employment in a store. Following an experience of five 
years as bookkeeper for a grain house, he became a member of the firm of 
William McEwen & Company and continued to be identified with that concern for 
a like period. At that time he formed a partnership with his brother, Nels J. 
Nelson, the firm continuing in business until 1884, when it met with financial 
reverses that caused it to close its doors, and settlement was made with 
creditors at fifty cents on the dollar by O. J. Nelson, who continued the 
business alone, it was while thus engaged that he became interested in the 
subject of insurance, in which he was to achieve a remarkable success. The 
building in which his stock was stored, and which cost $15,OOO, burned to the 
ground, with insurance of only $4,OOO. While his own loss was being adjusted, 
Mr. Nelson made a study of insurance, which impressed him as a favorable field 
in which to resume business life. He accordingly became a general insurance 
agent, and has never had reason to regret the step he made, as at this time he 
has many of the largest and most representative interests of the county on his 
books, and represents twenty fire insurance companies, including all the old 
line concerns. His career has been a particularly successful one, although it 
has been characterized by the vicissitudes which are to be met in the lives of 
all men who have the courage to embark in new fields and trust to their own 
ability to carry them through.  His offices are located at the corner of 
Liberty and Washington streets.

In 1872 Mr. Nelson was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Erickson, born 
at Morris, a daughter of E. and Esther (Olson) Nelson, natives of Norway. Two 
children have been born to this union: Esther, who is the wife of W. H. House, 
of Chicago; and Olive Josephine, one of the most popular young ladies in 
social circles of Morris, who is residing with her parents. Politically a 
stalwart Republican, Mr. Nelson has frequently mounted the rostrum in campaign 
work, and through his eloquence and logic has rendered his party yeoman 
service.  He served his township for twenty-five consecutive years as 
supervisor, and for a number of years was alderman of his ward at Morris, and 
in both capacities capably and conscientiously discharged the duties of his 
position and fully vindicated the confidence and faith that had been reposed 
in him by his fellow townsmen.  A member of the Lutheran Church from boyhood, 
he has given its movements his generous support. Mr. Nelson is an active and 
prominent Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery, and is 
also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Lincoln Club. During 
his long residence at Morris he has formed a wide acquaintance, and through 
his geniality and fidelity has attracted to himself a number of warm friends, 
whom his loyalty and continued integrity have allowed him to retain.

pages 873-874

Additional Comments:
Source:  History of Grundy County, Illinois, Chicago: Munsell Publishing Co. 
Publishers; 1914

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