Ole Nelson

As printed in 1894

OLE NELSON, a native of Norway, s the owner of a good farm in Wiscoy Township. He is a veteran of the late Civil War and a valiant soldier of several of its important campaigns. He is now identified with the Grand Army of the Republic, and on all occasions may be found discharging his duties as a patriotic citizen of his adopted laud. He is progressive and public spirited, striving to uphold measures calculated to bring prosperity to this community. Though he has never been an ofHce-seeker, he once served as Constable in the burgh Of Wilson, being the first to hold that office. In politics his l)allot is deposited in favor of Republican nominees.

Our subject was born May 7, 1835, and is one of five sons and five daughters Whose parents were Andrew and Josephine Nelson, the others being as follows: Caroline, Nels, Anna, Dolan. Katherine, Abraham, Eineker, and two who died in infancy. Our subject's early years were passed on his father's farm. He received a practical education in the common schools, and in 1849, with his parents, set sail for America. After seven weeks on the Atlantic, they landed in New York City, from where they proceeded to Buffalo by canal, and thence to Milwaukee by way of the Lakes. At that time the city was a mere fishing village. Our subject continued to reside in the place where the family first located until 1846, when he went to the vicinity of Baraboo, Wis., where his father had taken up some Government land. The latter's death occurred in April, 1846, and in the following fall his faithful wife followed him to the silent land.

When Ole Nelson was left an orphan he was only thirteen years of age, and he was then thrown upon his own resources to rise or fall, as the case might be. For five years he worked for his board and clothes in the employ of a farmer, and on the expiration of this period continued with the same man for a year on small wages. For about three months he was in the employ of the North- Western Railway Company, whose road he helped to survey. In the spring of 1853 he went to Appleton, Wis., and attended Lawrence I'university for the following year.

In 1854 Mr. Nelson went to Wilson Township, where he purchased one hundred and sixty- acres of Government land, paying at the rate of $1.25 per acre. He erected a log cabin, to which he brought all his belongings by ox-teams. After living on the farm for four years he sold the place and purchased one in Houston County, this state and engaged in its cultivation until 1862, when he enlisted in defense of the Union. He was mustered into the ranks as a private soldier of Company D, Seventh Minnesota Infantry,.t Ft. Snelling, on August 14. He was then sent on a campaign through the Dakotas, where the Indians were taking advantage of the grave situation in this country's affairs to village and devastate the farms of the settlers in the Northwest. Mr. Nelson's first engagement was with a band of Indians numbering about four or five hundred, and he took part in an important battle with them, besides numerous skirmishes. In the spring of 1863 he was sent across the Missouri River on the trail.of the marauding red-skin, and was thus employed until the next fall, when he was discharged on account of disability at Ft. Snelling. He was mustered out of service December 29, 1863. Soon afterwards he took up his above in Winona County, where he rented land for a few years, and then settled on the farm which he now owns. This is located on sections 25, 26 and 35, Wiscoy Township. Mr. Nelson owns altogether some two hundred and forty acres, a portion of which he rents to responsible tenants. He is a practical and thrifty agriculturist and a good business manager. June 17, 1860, occurred the marriage of our subject and Miss Caroline A., daughter of D. B. Clarke, of Pleasant Hill Township. Fourteen children were born of their union, namely: Andrew, who died March 11, 1884; Effle, whose death occurred October 3, 1891; Aline, who died September 12, 1880; and Willie, Charlie, Fred, John, Frank, Albert, Caroline L. and Amy J. The mother of these children was called to the silent land June 27, 1884. The family are much respected in this locality, where they are very well known and are esteemed among its best citizens Ml-. Nelson is truly a self-made man, as he began life entirely without capital, and, undaunted by the difficulties in his way, pressed steadily onward to the goal he had in view, that of becoming well-off in this world's goods and of occupying an honored pKice among his fellow-men.

Berend Ballmann.

As printed in Portrait and biographical record of Winona county, Minnesota. Containing biographical sketches of prominent ... citizens .. (1894). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.