James Peter Nelson (1923)

NELSON, CURL, POWERS, DAVIS

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 2/1/2009 at 14:28:59

Earlham Echo, Earlham, Iowa
Thursday, March 29, 1923

A long familiar figure passed the streets of Earlham and from the knowledge of a host of local friends Sunday morning just at the birth of the day, when James Nelson quietly slipped out of this world of toil and trouble into eternity. Jim, as we knew him, is gone. The quiet unassuming man who lived for so many years among us, has disappeared as unobtrusively as he lived. His was a life of unrequited toil. He was a blacksmith by trade, and who can estimate the untold labor which was packed into his busier years? As age came upon him he had not reaped the benefit of his years of toil. Life must have been a disappointment to him, certainly it treated him unkindly, yet as we remember him, he was a man of unusually cheerful temperament. Perhaps he was a greater hero than most of us because he knew the inner meaning of sacrifice. His last illness came upon him about four weeks ago and prostrated him, yet he never despaired, never gave up hope that he would get well and be enabled to resume his trade. Friday morning his brave heart began to fail him, and it was evident that his hours upon earth were numbered. Saturday night he sank into a death-like sleep from which he passed mercifully into that life of mystery beyond these earthly scene.

Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Fink at the Presbyterian Church in the presence of a large gathering of friends, and interment was in Earlham Cemetery. The Masonic Order, of which Mr. Nelson was a member for many years, had charge of the ritual at the grave, Fred Nolte, of Stuart, conducting the service. The following obituary was read:

James Peter Nelson was the son of Martha and Hans Peter Nelson, and was born in Laitved Mark, Syibill Station, near Copenhagen, Denmark, January 7, 1859. He was second of a family of eight children.

At the age of nine years, he came with the family to Des Moines, Iowa and later to Earlham, Iowa. In him Earlham loses another of her sturdy pioneer citizens. His youth was spent in pioneer hardships. He became a blacksmiths apprentice when but sixteen years of age. This occupation he continued throughout his life with the exception of the last four years.

At the age of nineteen he made a religious profession and became a member of the United Brethren church of Hickory Grove, near Earlham.

On September 26, 1883, he was united in marriage to Mary M. Curl of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. To this union were born six children, four daughters and two sons. Three of these still survive.

The early days of this union were spent at various places in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Illinois. Later, they took their abode in Ft. Madison, Iowa, removing from that place to Earlham where they have lived the past twenty-two years. Here on January 14, 1901, he joined the Presbyterian Church, in which he continued his fellowship until called to his rest above.

He had recovered largely from an attack of pneumonia, but his heart gave way suddenly, weakening what was once a strong physical body. His children were present at his last hours. At times his mind seemed to wander to early boyhood days and his childhood Danish language was frequently on his lips. He passed away Sunday morning at 12:10 a.m. March 25th at the age of 64 years, 2 months and 18 days.

He is survived by his widow, Mrs. Mary Nelson, three children, Jessie Nelson, Mrs. Maude Powers and Harry Nelson, all of Des Moines, Iowa, and two sisters, Mrs. Hannah Davis, of Denver, Colo., Mrs. Mary Davis of Des Moines, Iowa, and a brother Charles Nelson of Truro, Iowa, and several grandchildren, among whom is Maurice Nelson who has made his home with his grandparents.

Mr. Nelson was looked upon by the community as a square, good man, with a heart of gold, one who did for others at much personal sacrifice. His going is a grief to a host of friends.

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