Biographical Sketch of John W. Nelson, Greene County, Missouri,
North Springfield

>From "History of Greene County, Missouri," St. Louis: Western
Historical Company, 1883.

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Was born in Montreal, Canada, March 19, 1842.  His parents were William
and Martha Nelson, the former being still alive and residing in Ray
county, Missouri, though the latter died in 1856.  He was but five 
months old when his parents came to Missouri, and located in Ray county
where, besides the father, four brothers and two sisters still reside.
He began "firing" on the H. & St. Joe R.R. in 1859, continuing till
1861, when he enlisted for the war in Company E, 13th Missouri infantry
serving therein till captured by Gen. Price at Lexington.  Being parol-
ed, he remained at home till his exchange in January, 1862, then enter-
ed the 3rd Missouri Cavalry as sergeant, and marched from Chillicothe
to Pea Ridge, via Springfield, participating in the battles of both
those places and at Prairie Grove.  In May 1864, he re-enlisted in the
13th Missouri and served till mustered out at Leavenworth, Kansas.  Go-
ing then to Rolla, Missouri, he began working for the St. L. & S.F.R.R.
company, and was brakeman on the first regular reight that ran to 
Levanon.  In 1870 he began "firing" on the same road, and in 1874 was
given charge of an engine, since which time he has served steadily as
engineer.  Mr. Nelson was married October 15, 1866, to Elizabeth 
Charles, by whom he has had four children, two of whom are still living.
He is a member of the Springfield Lodge, No. 218, I.O.O.F., the Temple
of Honor, and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

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