Nels L. Nelson 1853-1911

NELSON, BENDICKSON, MASTERS, MASTER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 6/7/2013 at 23:36:27

NELS L. NELSON DEAD
An Emmet County Resident of Forty Years Called Friday.
N. L. Nelson, who lived east of Wallingford, died very suddenly last Wednesday evening [March 9, 1911]. He had been having an abscess on the tongue, which at first was not given much thought. After getting worse he came to Estherville and consulted a physician. Everything possible was done for him. As soon as the abscess broke he was poisoned and death soon followed. The funeral service was held at the Norwegian Lutheran church near Wallingford Monday. Burial was made in the Wallingford cemetery.

N. L. Nelson was born in Norway in 1853 [per gravestone, 1855]. He came to America in 1870 and settled in Emmet county. In 1881 he was united in marriage to Miss Olina Bendickson, of Winnebago county. Eleven children were born to this union. One child, Mrs. Mary Masters, died about two years ago. The living children are: Lewis Nelson of Wallingford, John Nelson of Mohall, North Dakota, Ben Nelson of Estherville, and Iver, Sarah, James, Helen, Alma, Oscar and Norris Nelson, who live at home.

Mr. Nelson was a good honest gentleman. In his residence of over forty years in this county he made many warm friends, who regarded him highly for his sturdy qualities.
The entire community join in sympathy to the widow and children in their sorrow. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, March 15, 1911)

Nels L.. Nelson died last Friday after an illness of only a few days. He had resided in High Lake township for many years and as familiarly known as “Stubby Nels.” Funeral services were held Monday afternoon. (Estherville Democrat, Estherville, IA, March 15, 1911)

Mr. N.L. Nelson passed away Wednesday evening about 12:00 o’clock. He had been sick only a few days. He went to Estherville last Saturday to consult Dr. Anderson and last Monday Dr. Anderson was called as he seemed to be getting worse, but not until Wednesday afternoon was he thought in danger. It was a great shock to his many friends. He leaves a wife and several children. The funeral was held Monday at the Riverside church. We sympathize very much with the family in their dark hours. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, March 15, 1911)

Obituary
Nels L. Nelson was born in Balastrand, Norway, April 26, 1853. He immigrated to America in 1870 and came to Emmet county where he made his home until the time of his death the 9th of March 1911. He was 57 year, 10 months and 13 days old. His mother died when he was only 4 years old, but his father lived to a ripe old age, being 99 years old at the time of his death.

Deceased is survived by four sisters, Mrs. Knut Gulickson of Glenham, N.D., Mesdames John Kernan and J.B. Hanson of Anoka, Minn. and Mrs. Andrew Olson of Emmet county. He was married in 1880 to Olena Bendickson of Winnebago county. This union was blest with seven sons: Lewis, Bennie, Johnie, Iver, James, Oscar and Norris and four daughters: Sarah, Helen, Alma and Mrs. Fred Masters [Master].All the children are living except Mrs. Masters and they with their mother are left to mourn the untimely death of a dear father and husband.

Deceased was an ardent church member and his place in church was very seldom vacant. An example for many of our young people who seem to forget that they must take the place of our old members in the church. When we look around we find that the number of our old people is gradually diminishing and it is left to the young people to take up the duties which we should assume with a glad heart.

Many are the days we spent together and yet how fast they passed one by one until your hair was almost gray. Oh, that we could learn to value our days and consider how soon we shall pass thru the Valley of the Shadow of Death. How different we would ive; how different we would talk; how much different we would treat one another; how much more deep would be our love for one another and how much more we would do for one another while we walk the path of life. If only we would think how easy and how soon the “Silver Cord’ could break we would surely live and do different than we do. May God forgive us for words uttered that should not have been uttered and for words not spoken that should have been spoken. We cannot see now why God should have taken you from us and earthly activities so suddenly, but some day we’ll understand. (Graettinger Times, Graettinger, IA, March 23, 1911)