Nels E. Nelson Biography


	This biography is from "Memorial and biographical record; an illustrated
 	compendium of biography, containing a compendium of local biography,
	including biographical sketches of prominent old settlers and 
	representative citizens of South Dakota..." Published by G. A. Ogle & 
	Co., Chicago, 1899. Pages 708-709

	Scan, OCR and editing by Maurice Krueger,mkrueger@iw.net, 1998. 

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NELS E. NELSON, who, with his two brothers, Gilbert and Edward, 
operates a farm about a thousand acres in Jefferson township, has one 
of the best improved tracts of land in Spink county. Nels and Gilbert 
were both born in Norway, the former September 26, 1853, and the latter 
September 3, 1859. Nels E. was the eldest son and Gilbert the fourth 
son born to Erick and Gena (Olson) Nelson, both of whom reside with our 
subject. The family came from the old country in 1861, landing at 
Quebec. They at once proceeded to Vernon county, Wisconsin, and while 
there the youngest of the family, Edward, was born, February 22, 1863. 
The boys grew to manhood in Wisconsin, working at farm labor and on the 
river. Having heard from Josiah Swain of Dakota and its promise of a 
comfortable competence, our subject and three companions, Willis Chase, 
Henry Natwick and Charles Brunk, fitted up a covered wagon and camping 
outfit and started in the fall of 1879 for the land of promise. They 
arrived at Dirt Lodges in September, and after a careful survey of the 
country our subject returned to Wisconsin. He was well pleased with the 
country, but had selected no land, considering it impossible for so 
much vacant land to be taken within several years. 

He returned to Watertown, Dakota, in March of 1880, and was there met 
by Josiah Swain, with whom he started for the river, arriving in a 
blizzard, one side of his face being frozen, as an initiation into the 
secrets of the "land of promise." Our subject had one hundred dollars 
in money, and took two claims, on one of which he built a sod house. He 
obtained work grading on the Chicago & Northwestern railroad, and 
during the spring of 1880 earned forty dollars trapping on the river. 
He returned to Wisconsin for the winter of 1880-81, returning to Dakota 
in the spring with his brother Gilbert. They went from Watertown afoot, 
and the tramp consumed three days through water, slush and snow. 
Gilbert secured land, and our subject purchased an ox team and plow, 
and together they worked, sending for the other members of the family 
in the fall of 1881. Their efforts were attended by success, and in 
1884 our subject erected a frame dwelling. The family are now 
considered substantial residents of Spink county, unhampered by debts, 
and enjoying many of the luxuries of life. The three brothers are well 
known as threshers in the valley, and with Frank Aiken have owned a 
steam threshing outfit since 1886, and each season find as much to do 
in the valley as their time will permit. 

Nels Nelson was married in 1897, Miss Judith Johnson being the lady of 
his choice. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are the parents of one son, upon whom 
they have bestowed the name of Oscar. 

Our subject, his father and brothers vote the Republican ticket and 
stand firmly for the principles of their party. Gilbert and Edward are 
members of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen 
of America. The family well deserve the esteem in which they are held 
by the entire community.