Nels Nelson

As printed in 1916

NELS NELSON.

A sketch of the life of Nels Nelson would he incomplete without reference to his father, John Nelson, whose rare qualities of prudence and industry have combined to make him one of the most esteemed citizens in the community in which he lives. John Nelson was born in the southern part of Norway, not far from Stavanger. in 1844. and is the son of Nels Salveson and Bertha Johnson, also natives of Norway. Nels Salveson. who was a farmer and a landowner, died in his native country in 1868 and his wife passed away in 1856. The couple reared a family of six children, as follow: Sarah (Mrs. Thomas Thompson), died in Norway; Kan also died in her native country, at the age of twenty years; Inga, the wife of Verman Sigredson, is buried in Norway, and Bertha, the wife of Lars Oftedal, resides in Norman county, Minnesota; Sam follows the occupation of farming near Like Ida, in Becker county. Minnesota, and John is referred to in the next paragraph.

The public schools of Norway furnished the elementary educational advantages lor John Nelson, who worked on a farm after completing the school course. The voyage in America, which was made in 1N69, occupied one month on the ocean. For two years after his arrival in this country he resided in Vernon county, Wisconsin, the community to which he was first attracted. Tintrip to Otter Tail county was made in a covered wagon, drawn by a team of oxen, and the time required to traverse the distance, which seems short in this day of rapid travel, was live weeks. In Scambler township, Mr. Nelson took a homestead claim on one hundred and sixty acres of land, in section 4. His first years of labor in this community were eventful with all tin incidents common in the life of a pioneer. He had to live through the disappointments of crop failures and the draw hacks of rough winter weather. Before retiring from active farm work. Mr. Nelson added-me hundred and sixty additional acres to his original homestead, lie has since divided part of the land among his children and at the present time makes his home with his daughter, Mrs. Simon Olson, who lives on the home place. John and Johanna Sophia Nelson were the parents of the following children: Nels, the subject of this review; Kari, who died at the age of twenty-three; Sarah, who died at the age of twenty, and Betsey (Mrs. Simon Olson), who, with her husband, lives in Scambler township, on the homestead belonging to her father.

The birthplace of Nels Nelson is in Vernon county, Wisconsin, where he was born on Tune 2, 1870. He was brought to Minnesota when only one year old, and after reaching the age of seven attended the public schools of Scambler township. He went to farming soon after he had finished school and in 1890 came into possession of eighty acres of land, to which tract he added eighty acres more. Upon this farm Mr. Nelson put many modern improvements and continues to live on the place at the present time. In iqoo he bought one hundred and sixty acres of land in section 9, of Scambler township, and still continues to manage the addition. Mr. Nelson has never allowed himself to be wholly occupied to the point of narrowness with the duties of farm life. He has taken an active part in the industrial affairs around him and has, as a consequence, been honored with school offices. He has served as treasurer of the school district and as supervisor of the township in which he lives. He and his wife are members of the Norwegian Lutheran church.

To the marriage of Nels Nelson and Bertina Carlson, a native of Cormorant township, Becker county, the following children have been born: Selma Carlotte, Edwin, John, Neil, Tyler, Samuel, Julia, Walter and Birdie.

As printed in History of Otter Tail County, Minnesota : its people, industries, and institutions : with biographical sketches of representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the old families (1916). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.