Bio of NELSON, J. C., Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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Vol III, pg 109-110
J. C. NELSON
J. C. Nelson, a Minneapolis contractor, notable examples of whose work are found
in some of ttte finest structures of the city, was born in Norway and was
brought to America when five years of age by his mother, his father having died
when the son was but three years of age. They settled on a farm in Hamilton
county, Iowa, and he there attended the country schools, while at the same time
he was active in the farm work to the age of sixteen years. He then went to
Grafton, North Dakota, where he spent one summer at farm work, after which he
came to Minneapolis and began learning the building business as an employe of
George Cook. For three years he drove a team and then for another three years
worked at bricklaying, thus learning the trade. After this six-year period had
passed in the employ of George Cook he worked at the trade of bricklaying for
sixteen years, or until 1908, when, ambitious for his own advancement, he
established business for himself as a contractor and builder. He conducted his
interests alone until 1914, when he admitted his son, Leslie H. Nelson, to a
partnership under the firm style of J. C. Nelson & Son, an association that
continues. Mr. Nelson and the firm of J. C. Nelson & Son have done a great deal
of important building in Minneapolis and throughout the state. They make a
specialty of school buildings and heavy buildings, such as factories, stores,
commercial buildings, office buildings and others of similar character. Among
the important contracts which they have executed are the Jordan Junior high
school, the Puffer-Hubbard factory, the Brown Sheet Iron & Steel factory, the
Garrick candy factory on University avenue, the Northern Machinery Company
building, the Commercial Gas building, the masonry work of the Andrews Hotel
(both inside and outside), eight stores on Seventh street and First avenue
North, and several flat buildings, including one for Mr. Olson and one for Mr.
Hanz. Outside of the city some notable examples of their work are the State
Tuberculosis Hospital at Thief River Falls, Minnesota, the Theatre building at
Marshall, Minnesota, the high school at East Grand Forks, this state, the
creamery and two stores at Morgan, Minnesota, a fine school building at Fisher,
Minnesota, and also many edifices in and around Minneapolis.
On the 8th of January, 1891, J. C. Nelson married Miss Ann Lawrence and they
have an only son, Leslie Howard, who was educated at the Lyndale school of
Min­neapolis and attended high school for two years. He also took other courses
of study to fit himself for the contracting business. He learned the trade of a
brickmason and worked for his father until he was admitted to partnership in
1914. On the 18th of April, 1918, he enlisted for service in the World war,
receiving his training at Camp Dodge and at Fort Riley, Kansas, after which he
was sent overseas in August, 1918, as a member of the Medical Corps. He was
stationed at Vouvray, France, for a time and after the armistice was signed was
sent to Neuweid, Germany, with the Army of Occupation, there remaining until
July 21, 1919, when he was returned to the United States and received his
honorable discharge. He is a member of the Masonic frater­nity, with affiliation
in Ark Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Ark Chapter, R. A. M. He likewise has
membership with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and with the Minneapolis
Athletic Club. The father, J. C. Nelson, is a member of the Modern Woodmen of
America, with which he has thus been identified for thirty years. He is a
democrat in politics and is regarded as one of the substantial citizens of
Minneapolis, with high standing in business and financial circles and with the
record of an honor­able business career. He came to this city a poor boy without
friends or influence and through his honest individual effort has achieved
prosperity. His record is one that should prove an inspiration to all young men
who must start out in life empty-handed.