Halvor Nelson

NELSON, PAULSON, SOGN, LEE, HELGERSON, GUNDERSON, HANSON

Posted By: Clayton co. Coordinator
Date: 6/23/2005 at 14:42:51

.....The next to enter this fair domain for settlement was Halvor Nelson, of Clayton County, Iowa, who came to be known as one of the true fathers of Lyon County, who came in the fall of 1867, accompanied by his brother, Ole Nelson. They had set out for the purpose of locating a milling business and to build up a town. They followed the Big Sioux up to where now stands the town of Beloit. Here they found a splendid water power, situated in one of the most extensive, as well as fertile valleys in the west. Mr. Halvor Nelson at once laid claim to a large tract of land, embracing the present town site of Beloit. He then returned to Clayton County and organized a large colony of Norwegians.

.... Early in the spring of 1868, Halvor Nelson and his colony, consisting of thirty wagons, took up their journey for Lyon County. The last hundred miles lay across an open prairie, without bridges or even a trail to mark their westward course. The water being high, they encountered many difficulties in crossing streams and keeping their general route. Upon reaching Beloit, part of the colony settled in South Dakota, while James Paulson, Chris H. Sogn, A.K. Lee, Arne Helgerson, Gano Gunderson and Morton Hanson settled near Beloit, where, amid many difficulties, they began opening farms.

Nelson immediately commenced work on his saw mill, and although obliged to freight machinery and supplies from Sioux City, had it cutting lumber by late in the fall. A good grade of oak, black walnut, ash and cottonwood lumber was turned out, which materially aided in the settlement of the Sioux Valley.

-source: extracted from "Compendium of History Reminiscence and Biography of Lyon County, Iowa"; Published under the Auspices of the Pioneer Association of Lyon County. Geo. Monlun, Pres.; Hon. E. C. Roach Sec’y; and Col. F. M. Thompson, Historian. Geo. A. Ogle & CO., Published, Engravers and Book Manufacturers. Chicago, 1904-1905; Chapter 2

-copied to Clayton co. biographies, with the permission of Roseanna Zehner, Lyon co. IAGenWeb coordinator
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