Oscar A. Nelson

As printed in 1914

OSCAR A. NELSON.

Oscar A. Nelson, who controls most of the stock of the McCune Shoe Company of Boone, is one of the city's most successful merchants, serving at present as secretary and treasurer of this firm. He was born in Rockford, Illinois, November 3. 1868, and is a son of Andrew and Elna (Anderson) Nelson. The paternal grandfather was Nels Torkelson. whose wife died when the father of our subject was in his infancy. The grandfather, a widower, came to the United States, landing in New York, whither his son Andrew had preceded him one year before, locating shortly afterward in Rockford, Illinois. In 1868 Andrew Nelson came to Montana City, as it was then called — now Boone — and there he was joined by his father and his four other children. The grandfather was a tailor by trade and already well along in years when he came to this country. After locating in Boone he followed his trade to some extent and died there in 1880.

Andrew Nelson learned the trade of a tailor in Sweden, where he attended the common schools in the acquirement of an education. He remained throughout his life in the tailoring business and died July 17, 1912. He married in Sweden Miss Elna Anderson, who came to the United States with him and who passed away in Boone, May 27, 191 3. All of their children were born in this country. The parents were members of the Swedish Evangelical Mission church, of which the father was a charter member and in which he served as deacon and trustee. He was an adherent of the republican party until a few years prior to his death, when he became an independent, giving his support to such candidates as he considered best adapted for the office to which they aspired without regard to party dictates.

Oscar A. Nelson attended the public schools of Boone until fifteen years of age, completing his education by two years' attendance in high school. He entered upon his business career as clerk in the book store of F. A. Bolt, later accepting a position in a grocery store which was conducted by G. F. Miller. After severing this connection he entered the shoe store of C. A. McCune, the business being incorporated in 1890 as the McCune Shoe Company. At that time Mr. Nelson acquired stock in the concern, continuing as clerk therein, and

Vnl II, 2 N was made vice president of the company, serving as such until 1900. He then was elected president, in which capacity he continued until 1907, when he acquired the controlling interest in the firm and has since served as secretary-treasurer. The McCune Shoe Company conduct a prosperous retail business at No. 721 Story street and enjoy a high reputation for carrying a most reliable and up-to-date stock. The success of the firm is largely due to the methods and policy instituted by Oscar A. Nelson, its secretary-treasurer, who is considered one of the most shrewd and able business men in the town. Personally he is courteous and affable, having attracted many customers to his store by his pleasing personality.

On August 12, 1896, Mr. Nelson married Miss Agnes G. Zandell of Boone, a daughter of Alfred and Ida (Blomberg) Zandell. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have two children: Eloise G. and Myron A. The parents are devout members of the Swedish Evangelical Mission, in which the father has served as a trustee for ten years. Politically he is a member of the progressive party, completely in sympathy with the ideals which that party has set out to realize. Mr. Nelson has ever been interested in educational matters and served on the town board of education for six years, rendering valuable help in making possible the erection of a beautiful new schoolhouse, which was opened in January, 1914, and is one of the most practical, sanitary and best equipped in the state. Mr. Nelson is a public-spirited and patriotic citizen who by his activities has contributed toward the development of his city and who is ever ready to sacrifice personal interest in order to promote community welfare. He is justly entitled to the predicate of self-made man, for he has succeeded through his own efforts only, efforts which have been based upon ambition, industry, determination and honesty.

As printed in History of Boone County, Iowa (1914). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.