George Nelson Biography


	This biography appears on pages 983-984 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				GEORGE NELSON. 

	George Nelson is the president of the Scandinavian Bank at Viborg 
and is carefully directing the interests of that instiution in a manner 
that is leading to its substantial development, growth and success. He 
was born in Mount Carroll, Illinois, January 25, 1872, and is a son of 
Chris and Margaret Nelson. The family came to South Dakota in the year 
of his birth and established their home near Viborg, the father 
securing a homestead in Turner county. For a number of years he engaged 
in farming and contributed to the agricultural development and progress 
of the section in which he lived. He survives but 0a wife has passed 
away. 

	George Nelson was reared in Turner county and after mastering the 
branches of learning taught in the district schools continued his 
education in the University of South Dakota at Vermillion, where he 
made his way by his own efforts, working in order to earn the money to 
pay his tuition. He spent one year in college and afterward engaged in 
teaching school, displaying ability to impart clearly and readily to 
others the knowledge that he had acquired. In early manhood he also 
worked upon the home farm and became familiar with every phase of life 
incident to the development of the fields. In 1898 he came to Viborg 
and assisted in the organization of the Scandinavian Bank, of which he 
became the first cashier, occupying that position until he was called 
to the presidency of the institution in 1912. From the beginning the 
business of the bank has constantly increased. It is capitalized for 
twenty thousand dollars and its officers are: George Nelson, president; 
P. C. Madsen, vice president; Joseph Swenson, cashier; and Harold 
Larson, assistant cashier. Mr. Nelson studies every question bearing 
upon the banking business and his close application, unremitting energy 
and broad knowledge of financial affairs have been the strong and 
salient elements in the success of the institution of which he is the 
head. He is also interested in South Dakota real estate, in which he 
has made judicious investments. 

	On the 24th of June, 1897, Mr. Nelson was united ill marriage to 
Miss Cora Christensen, a daughter of Nels Christensen. Their children 
are as follows: Everett, Margaret, Merton, Emmett, Louise, Lillian, Joy 
and Ralph. Mr. Nelson's religious views are in accord with the 
Protestant faith. In politics he is a republican, recognized as a 
stalwart supporter of the party but not an office seeker. He has 
served, however, as city treasurer and in that position, as in every 
other relation of public trust, he proved himself true, loyal and 
capable. He belongs to the Danish Brotherhood of America, to the Odd 
Fellows society and in Masonry has attained the thirty-second degree of 
the Scottish Rite. South Dakota finds him an enterprising citizen, 
greatly interested in the welfare of the state and contributing in 
every possible way toward the advancement of the interest of the 
commonwealth.