Nilson, Ole

NILSON, SHEIE

Posted By: Roseanna Zehner
Date: 7/25/2006 at 10:52:38

NILSON, OLE

Ole Nilson, who is one of the old and honored residents of Logan township, Lyon county, where he has long followed agricultural pursuits, and bears in his blood characteristics of his ancestry, was born in Norway, February 29, 1864, the son of Nils Christofferson, a Norwegian farmer, and a man of high standing and the utmost personal integrity. The northwest is greatly indebted to the Scandinavian race for much of its early development, and Mr. Nilson has contributed brain, brawn and muscle to the making of this new country.

Reared under the parental roof, he remained at home until he reached the age of fourteen years, doing farm work and attending the local school. At that age he began sailing the high seas, and continued as a sailor before the mast, until he reached the age of twenty years, when he felt the attraction of the new world and the inspiration of its wonderful life. Accordingly he crossed the ocean, and landing in the city of New York made his way west to Lyon county, where he bought a farm and entered upon the tillage of the soil. In this occupation he has been highly successful, and is now numbered among the most prominent and prosperous farms of this great county.

Mr. Nilson and Miss Anna J. Sheie, who was born in Iowa in 1862, were married in 1889, and she has proved everything that he could wish for, alike as wife, mother and friend. To them have come a family of seven children: Alvena, Nailor, Simon, Morris, Arnt, Clarence and Iva, -- all of whom were born in Lyon county, and together constitute a most promising and attractive family of young people.

Mr. Nilson has studied political matters quite thoroughly and has seen fit to take strong Republican ground, and at the present time he is a member of the school board and superintendent of highways. Since coming to this county he has been its most enterprising citizen, and has never hesitated at any effort or sacrifice to build up its best interests.

His farm comprises some two hundred acres, the most of which is under high cultivation, and the balance devoted to meadow and pasture. His farm buildings are modern and in good condition, and the grove on the farm, which is unusually good, was the result of the planting of his own hands.

Source: 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

Transcribed by Roseanna Zehner, Darlene Jacoby and Diane Johnson