NELSON, Edward R. 1870-1949

NELSON, BROWN

Posted By: Tammy (email)
Date: 10/27/2016 at 20:34:30

Edw. R. Nelson

Edward Ralph Nelson was born in Felix township, Grundy county, on June 1, 1870. Following a short illness of less than two days, he passed away in the early morning of December 20, 1949, at the home of his son in Alexandria, Virginia. He was the eldest of the four children of George and Florence Nelson. Preceding him in death were two brothers, Harry and Victor. Surviving is his only sister, Mrs. Fanny Whitwood of Long Beach, California.

"Ed," as he was called by all his friends, was reared and grew to manhood on the family farm. His earliest recollections were of the problems and struggles and achievements of the pioneer farm life. Out of these early experiences he developed a quiet strength of character and appreciation of the wisdom of the Divine Hand that were to serve him well in meeting the stresses of later life. He was a lifelong adherent to and supporter of the Methodist Church.

He took much pride in having lived through and taken part in the development of southwestern Grundy county from a rough prairie to a stable and comfortable farming locality. He had many interesting stories of old-time church socials and community oyster suppers. He was especially proud of the work he did in grading up the farm roads in Felix township for the first time early in this century.

Ed was united in marriage with Clara A. Brown on April 12, 1897. To them was born one son, Richard. Their home was made on various farms in Felix and Palermo townships until about thirty years ago, at which time the family moved to Grundy Center. The health of his wife declined until she became semi-invalid for several years prior to her death, which occurred in the autumn of 1936. Throughout the difficult term of her illness Ed cared for her with all the tenderness and devotion which he possessed in such full measure.

Following the death of his wife, he found partial compensation for that loss by associating himself especially closely with the lives and well-being of his two grandchildren, who returned fully his interest and affection. It was a particular joy to him to know intimately his first great-granddaughter. The birth of his second great-granddaughter, which he had been anticipating with eager pleasure, occurred only six days before his passing.

Ed was a man who found his greatest satisfaction in sharing the joys and sorrows and problems of everyone with whom he came in contact--relatives, friends, and neighbors. His faith was in the value of kindly deeds that smoothed the paths of others in simple ways. By giving first thought to the welfare of others, he came to reap a rich harvest of friendship from all persons with whom he had business relations or was associated in any way. He found that it was indeed possible to prosper by dealing generously.

A clear picture of Ed's character is indicated by the comment made by the wife of a neighbor of his son's family--"He is the nicest elderly man I have ever known." He would ask for no finer tribute.

The surviving immediate relatives include his sister, his son and daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, Mrs. Rosalie Yates and Dr. Merrill F. Nelson, of Baltimore, Maryland, two great-grandchildren, and a nephew by marriage, J. Ray King, with whom he had particularly close association for nearly fifty years. Others who have a deep sense of loss with his departure include several cousins, numerous nephews and nieces, and uncounted friends and neighbors.

Final services were held in the Coffman Funeral Home at 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23. In charge was Rev. J. B. Bird of Cedar Falls, assisted by Rev. Merton Green of Grundy Center. Organ music was provided by Mrs. Laura Trevillyan, and a vocal selection was rendered by Mrs. Lois Nickerson. Pallbearers were Louis Keehn, Ira Klinefelter, Sam Lewis, Bert Lynch, Clyde Smith and George Terrall. The numerous and beautiful floral tributes were arranged by a committee headed by Mrs. Vallera Minnich. Burial was by the side of the wife in the Grundy Center cemetery.

Relatives and friends from out of town who were in attendance at the services included Mr. and Mrs. Walter Haskin of Conrad; Mr. and Mrs. Ira Whitwood, Mrs. Nora Emmert, and Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Smith, all of Eldora; and Sam Lewis of Whitten.

--The Grundy Register (Grundy Center, Iowa), 29 December 1949, pg 12