Joseph Vandike Nelson, Dr. (1897)

ANDERSON, HALL, HARDY, NELSON, NICHOLS

Posted By: Kent Transier
Date: 12/18/2007 at 22:19:31

Winterset Reporter
Winterset, Iowa
Thursday, September 30, 1897
Page 9

Dr. Nelson Dead

Dr. J. V. Nelson died at his home in this city last Friday afternoon after a serious sickness of some ten days. For the past number of years he had suffered from an old army complaint which he could no shake off.

Deceased was born in Adams county, Ohio, in 1843. In 1875 he was married at Fontanelle, Iowa to Miss Elizabeth Nichols, who with three daughters, survive him. For some time previous to coming to Winterset the family lived at Webster, in the western part of this county. They moved to Winterset in 1885, and for some time he was engaged in the drug business here with Dr. Wray, who died a few months ago. He practiced medicine for thirty years, and at the time of his death was a member of pension examining board of this county. He served his country during the war in Company G, 70th Ohio cavalry, and belonged to Pitzer Post G. A. R. He also belonged to the Masonic fraternity and was a member of the Baptist church.

Rev. Peck of Indianola, assisted by Rev. Jacobs, conducted the funeral at the home Sunday afternoon. The G. A. R. and A. F. & A. M. fraternities to the number of about sixty each, and a very large concourse of people followed the remains of their beloved comrade and brother, respected citizen and neighbor, to his last lonely home inn the Winterset cemetery, where they were laid to rest after the rendition of the beautiful ritualistic ceremony by the Masons.

The following relatives from a distance attended the funeral: Mr. and Mrs. Robert Anderson and Mr. and Mrs. Link Hall, of Earlham, and Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Hardy, of Greenfield. G. M. Nichols, of Des Moines, a brother of Mrs. Nelson, came Monday, but by mistake, was too late for the funeral.
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The Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, September 29, 1897
Page 8

Earlham News

Mr. and Mrs. R. W. Anderson and Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Hall were called to Winterset Sunday to attend the funeral of their brother-in-law, Dr. Nelson, who died at his home in Winterset Friday.
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The Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, September 29, 1897
Page 9

Death of Dr. Nelson.

Dr. J. V. Nelson, whose critical illness was mentioned in our last paper, died at about 4 o’clock p.m., last Friday, September 24. Chronic bowel trouble, contracted in the army, had weakened and rendered him an invalid, and finally caused his death.

Dr. Nelson was one of the best known physicians in the county. He was born in Adams county, Ohio, in 1843, and came to Iowa in 1869. During his many years residence in this county he practiced his profession at Middle River and Winterset, coming here to make his home about twelve years ago. For several years he was in the drug business on the north side of the square, in partnership with Dr. J. H. Wray, also deceased, and others, but during the latter years of his life he devoted himself entirely to his medical practice, so far as his failing health would permit.

Dr. Nelson was a man of warm heart and kingly nature, which, though clouded during his latter years by illness and misfortune, will be affectionately remembered by a large number of friends. He leaves a wife and three daughters, who are the objects of the tenderest sympathy of the entire community.

The funeral services were held last Sunday afternoon, conducted by Rev. G. W. Peck, of Indianola, former pastor of the Winterset Baptist church and was attended by his brethren of the Masonic fraternity and his comrades of the G.A.R., Dr. Nelson having served during the war of the rebellion in the 17th Ohio infantry.

After the services at the home the body was taken in charge by the Masons, with his brother physicians acting as pall bearers, and buried at the cemetery with the Masonic ritual, under the charge of Winona Lodge at Pitzer, of which the Doctor was a member.
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The Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
Wednesday, October 6, 1897

Obituary.

Again we are called upon to record a death. This time it is one of our leading physicians, Dr. Joseph Vandike Nelson, whose name had become a household word among our best families, because of his skill as a physician and his kindness to the afflicted. He had been a sufferer ever since the war, where he contracted the trouble that resulted in his death, which occurred last Friday, September 24, 1897.

The Doctor was born in Ripply, Adams county, Ohio, in the year 1843. He spent his youth in teaching school till the year of ’61, when at the age of 19 he responded to his country’s call and joined Co. G. of the 70th Regiment Ohio Infantry, and with this noble regiment went to the defense of his country. He was a good and faithful soldier and served with fidelity till compelled by sickness contracted by severe exposure to take his discharge. He studied medicine, and after graduating with honors he settled at Webster, Madison county, Iowa, where he practiced 18 years. But there was a demand for his skill at the county seat, where, until the time of his death, he was accounted as one of the best in his profession.

Dr. Nelson was married to Miss Elizabeth Nichols, March 1, 1875. To them were born three daughters, who, together with the widow, mourn the loss of a loving father and husband.

Dr. Nelson’s father, David Nelson is still living in Adams county, Ohio. He also has a brother, Judge John Nelson, living at Logansport, Ind., who will feel keenly the loss of a dutiful son and a kind brother.

The Doctor was converted to the Baptist faith some ten years ago under the preaching of Rev. Geo. Peck, who also baptized him and received him into the Baptist church. He was also a good Mason and a member of the G.A.R.

The funeral service took place from the residence, Sunday, September 26, at 2 p.m., conducted by the pastor, A. Jacobs, assisted by Dr. Ely, pastor of the Presbyterian church, and Rev. Geo. Peck, a former pastor of the Baptist church. Appropriate songs were feelingly rendered by the male quartet. Dr. Ely offered a touching prayer and read the 90th psalm. The pastor then made a few remarks, after which Rev. Peck delivered the eulogy in the most pathetic way. The body was then taken in charge by the Masonic order which followed it to the grave, escorted by the members of the G.A.R. as a guard of honor, where with the beautiful Masonic funeral rites the body was committed to its rest.
All hearts sympathize with the family and relatives in this, their hour of affliction, and the prayer of all is that the good Father of us all will comfort, bless, and uphold these bereft ones till they shall meet where partings are no more.

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