Bio of NELSON, William Edward, 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 325
W. EDWARD NELSON (William Edward Nelson)
Extensive and important manufacturing interests are under the control of W.
Edward Nelson, who is one of the corporation operating under the name of the B.
F. Nelson Company of Minneapolis. Possessed of splendid executive ability and
with powers of coordinating seemingly dissimilar or even diverse interests, he
has so directed his efforts as to contribute in notable measure to the success
of this business, which was established by his father. Mr. Nelson was born in
Minneapolis and is a son of Benjamin P. and Martha (Ross) Nelson,
representatives of an old southern family, extended mention of whom appears on
another page of this work. The son was educated in the public schools of
Minneapolis and in the Pennsylvania Military College, from which he was
graduated with the class of 1890. When his textbooks were put aside he entered
the business that had been established by his father under the name of the B. F.
Nelson Company, for the manufacture of building paper, roofing paper, box board
and shipping containers. The plant was opened in 1887 and through the
intervening period has grown steadily until today the company owns and controls
a plant of magnitude and a trade that has reached extensive proportions.
Something of the volume of business is indicated in the fact that their employes
now number five hundred. W. Edward Nelson started as a weighing clerk, became
shipping clerk and secretary, and finally president of the company, being
elected to the last named office in 1917. He has since bent his energies to
administrative direction and executive control and his efforts have all been
along constructive lines. He has met competition with merit and the worth of his
products has insured not only a continuance but a growth of the trade.
Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Helen O'Brien, and they have become
parents of four children: Helen, who is now the wife of A. N. Drake of
Minneapolis; Martha R., Benjamin F., and Mary B. In political circles Mr. Nelson
is well known as a champion of democratic principles. He is a club man of
prominence, belonging to the Minneapolis, Minikahda, Athletic, Lafayette and
Minnesota clubs, in which his personal characteristics have made for popularity,
gaining for him a host of warm friends. His business and other interests make
constant demand upon his time and energies and long since he has become
recognized as a most forceful factor in the commercial development of his native
city.