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			WILLIAM S. & HARRIET (McHENRY) NELSON

	William S. Nelson, a prominent lumberman of Cedar Lake, was born in Palmyra, Lenawee Co.,
Mich., July 6, 1837.  His father, Francis Nelson, was one of the pioneers of Gratiot County, 
where he located as early as 1854, and of which county he held the office of judge of Probate 
twelve years.  The subject of this sketch enjoyed the advantages of a good common-school 
education, and also pursued selected studies for several terms in the colleges at Hillsdale and 
Kalamazoo.  He was married to Harriet McHenry, of St. Louis, Mich., Oct. 28, 1860.  Bought and
improved a large farm in the township of Arcade, Gratiot Co., where he resided sixteen years. 
Disposing of his farm in 1876, he removed to Cedar Lake, and went into a business partnership
with James T. Hall, under the firm-name  of Nelson & Hall.  This firm built a saw-mill on the 
banks of Cedar Lake, and engaged in lumbering on an extended scale.  Afterwards Mr. Hall sold out
to Mr. Bates, of Oswego, N. Y., and the firm-name was changed to Bates & Nelson.  Their mill was 
burned in the spring of 1878, and the firm dissolved, since which time Mr. Nelson has conducted 
the lumber business alone.  In connection with this business he manages a general store, and his 
various enterprises give employment to a great number of men.  His energy, as well as his uniform 
courtesy to his employees and all others with whom he has achieved.
	Mr. Nelson is the eldest of three brothers now living,--Hon. William Nelson, a prominent 
merchant of Ithaca, Gratiot Co., and Rev. Theodore Nelson, East Saginaw.



This biography is taken from "HISTORY OF IONIA AND MONTCALM COUNTIES, MICHIGAN" 
by John S. Schenck. Philadelphia:  D. W. Ensign & Co., 1881. Facing Page 470.  Home.