Olof Nelson Biography


	This biography appears on pages 278-279 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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				OLOF NELSON.  

	Commercial activity in Yankton finds a worthy representative in 
Olof Nelson, who is engaged in merchandising and is also identified 
with other business enterprises. He has a high class grocery 
establishment, carrying a large and carefully selected line of goods, 
and his success in that field is the direct result of earnest labor, 
close application and a ready recognition of opportunity. He was born 
September 20, 1864, in Sweden, his parents being Nels Olson and Kersten 
Nelson. The public schools of his native land afforded him his 
educational advantages and in 1883, when a young man of nineteen years, 
he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, arriving in that year in 
Yankton. He was entirely without funds, but he recognized the fact that 
industry is the basis of success and he was not afraid to work. He 
began as a laborer, but his ability and trustworthiness won him 
promotion and three years later he was occupying a clerkship in a 
general store, in which he remained for four years, gaining his initial 
experience along mercantile lines. At the same time he was carefully 
saving his earnings until the sum was sufficient to enable him to 
embark in business on his own account.  

	In 1891 Mr. Nelson established a grocery store, which he has now 
successfully conducted for twenty-three years and which is the only 
high class exclusive grocery in the city. The stock which he carries is 
large and carefully selected, embracing both staple and fancy 
groceries, and he is accorded a liberal patronage by those who desire 
the highest grade of goods. Moreover, he had the foresight to invest in 
farm property when land could be obtained at a very reasonable figure 
and he is now the owner of valuable South Dakota farm lands from which 
he derives a gratifying annual income. He has been identified with the 
promotion of many enterprises in the community. Energy and 
determination characterize him in all that he does and in his 
vocabulary there is no such word as fail. He pursues the course that he 
has marked out with diligence and when obstacles arrive he overcomes 
them by determined effort and thoroughly reliable methods.  

	Mr. Nelson is a member of the Yankton Commercial Club and for 
several years has served as one of its directors, while for one year he 
occupied the position of president. His political endorsement has been 
given to the republican party since he won the right of franchise and 
he has served acceptably in some local offices, being a member of the 
city council for two years and treasurer of Yankton county for two 
terms. He has served for an extended period on the board of education 
and is much interested in the cause of the public schools, doing 
everything in his power to raise the standard of instruction.  

	On the 17th of May, 1892, Mr. Nelson was married to Miss Karolina 
Carlson, a daughter of C. G. Carlson, and their children are: Albert 
M., Ernest L., Esther M., Edith A. and Clarence T. Mr. Nelson belongs 
to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, being one of its most prominent 
representatives in South Dakota, having served as grand master of the 
state. He also belongs to St. John's Lodge, No. 1, A. F. & A. M.; and 
has attained the thirty second degree of the Scottish Rite as a member 
of Oriental Consistory, No. 1, A. A. S. R. His religious belief is that 
of the Lutheran church, in which he has been a very active worker, and 
he has served in all of the lay offices of the church. Its teachings 
constitute his guiding spirit and the motives which make him so 
honorable and purposeful a man in all life's relations. He stands today 
as one of the city's prosperous and highly respected citizens, his 
success due to his sterling integrity in all of his business dealings 
and an early appreciation of the many advantages afforded by a new and 
growing country.