Pvt. John Nelson 1895-1918

NELSON, BARRET, HERSLOFF

Posted By: Joe Conroy (email)
Date: 9/6/2010 at 17:34:29

Graettinger Times
Graettinger, Iowa
10 Oct 1918
Page 13

Graettinger Loses Two Soldier Boys

Jerhard Axelton and Johnnie Nelson, Both of This Place, Have Answered Final Summons in Camp and Battle Field

It has been the lad lot of Graettinger during the past week to receive notice of the death of two of her young soldier boys, one, Johnnie Nelson, from wounds received in action, and the other, Gerhard Axelton, from the Spanish Influenza, Camp Mills, New York.

John Nelson is in receipt of the following message from the War Department:

Washington, D. C.

John Nelson,
Graettinger, Iowa
Deeply regret to inform you it is officially reported that Private Johnnie Nelson, Infantry, died August 8th, from wounds received in action.
Harris, Actg. Adj. Gen'l.

Johnnie Nelson was born near Graettinger, on November 3, 1895, and had he lived would have been 28 Nov. 3rd next. His father is John Nelson, living a short distance north-west of Graettinger, and his mother is dead. He is survived by four brothers and three sisters, William, Alfred, Andrew and Nels, and Mrs. Frank Barret, Christina Nelson and Martha Nelson.

Young Nelson entered the army at Camp Dodge, Sept. 20th, 1917, and later went to Camp Pike, Arkansas. He was trained as a sharpshooter, in Co. I, 38th Inf. He was sent to France in June, 1918.

Words fail to express the grief of the family which has been called upon to bear this loss, and none can sufficiently value the services of those who, like this young soldier, have laid down their lives for their country and for humanity.

Graettinger Times
Graettinger, Iowa
23 Jun 1921
Page 1

Private John Nelson Funeral Held Sunday

The remains of Private John Nelson, accompanied by a military escort, arrived in Graettinger Friday evening. The members of the local post of the American Legion took charge of the casket at the depot and escorted their deceased comrade to the home of the father, John Nelson, of this city. The funeral was held Sunday afternoon. Services were conducted at the residence at one o'clock. Rev. H. P. K. Hansen, pastor of the Danish Lutheran church of South Walnut township, offered the prayer. The address was given by Rev. S. G. Sande, pastor of the Scandinavian Evangelical Lutheran church of this city. From the residence the remains were taken to the South Walnut church where the final services were held. These were conducted by Rev. Hansen and an address was also given by Rev. Hansen of Milton, Wisconsin, who happened to be here during the day. The members of the John Nelson post of this city accompanied the remains from the residence to the church and when the body was lowered in its final resting place the customary salute was fired and taps were sounded. The pall bearers were Herman Worland, Louie Christiansen, Frank Christianen, Andrew Duus, Hans Kuntson, James Hansen, John Carlson of Odebolt, and Mr. Johnson of Odebolt. The two latter were comrades of the deceased and they were with him when he fell in battle. The other young men were neighbors and boyhood friends, and during the war served in the khaki ranks. A soldier brother of John Carlson was also in attendance at the funeral.

It was the largest funeral ever held in this section, over a thousand people being present to pay their last respects to this Graettinger young man who was first to fall on the battlefields of France. There was a total of 165 automobiles in the procession besides the scores of people who attended the services at the residence. Many beautiful and costly floral decorations were in evidence at the funeral.

John Nelson enlisted in the U. S. army in September, 1917, and was assigned to Co. F, 350th Infantry, stationed at Camp Dodge, Iowa. From Camp Dodge he was transferred to Co. G, 347th Infantry at Camp Pike, Arkansas. he left Camp Pike about June 10, 1918, on the journey to France. When he reached the battle zone he was transferred to Co. E, 38th Infantry, Third division. He served in this organization until he was killed in action August 8, 1918, at Fimses (probably Fismes - J.C.), France, during the battle of the Marne. His death occurred as the Americans were following the retreating Germans after the disastrous enemy offensive of the middle of July. When the army of the Crown Prince retired they destroyed the bridges across the Marne river. The members of the Engineer corps erected temporary foot bridges during the night and the American army crossed under cover of darkness. During the forenoon of August 8th, the troops of the Third division were advancing and a shell struck close to John Nelson. He and his companion and friend, John Carlson, both fell. Carlson was wounded and ordered to the rear. In about ten minutes after the explosion of the shell he crawled to john Nelson and found that his comrade had been killed. A number of other soldiers were killed and wounded by the same shell.

John Nelson, son of John Nelson, of this city, was born in Palo Alto county November 3, 1896. He grew to young manhood in this community and made his home with his father until he left to join the colors in September, 1917. His mother passed away some years ago and besides his aged father he is survived by four brothers and three sisters. The brothers are Andrew, Alfred, Nels, and William and the sisters are Mrs. Frank Berret, Mrs. T. Hersloff and Miss Martha Nelson. The deceased was one of Palo Alto county's most promising young men. He was a steady, reliable, dependable young man and he had a bright, promising future as industry, perseverance, thrift and good character are invariably rewarded. His military record was one of credit to him and he was highly praised by the officers with whom he came in contact. Like the average American boy who proved such self-reliant, brave soldiers during the war, John Nelson was quick to grasp the instructions in the training camps and in a few short months he was able to take his place with credit in the ranks of the best army the world has ever known. Like the thousands of other American boys he offered without hesitation to brave the dangers of battle and strife in defense of home and loved ones. He was called upon to make the supreme sacrifice, the greatest sacrifice that man can make -- to lay down his life in defense of his country. The remains of this brave hearted, courageous American boy have now been placed in their final resting place, brought home from the scene of conflict thousands of miles away. The funeral was held with full military honors and the body tenderly placed in the grave by loving hands of boyhood chums, now members of the Legion post that was named in honor of this departed soldier. Death is the saddest part of the war and, though it is realized victory can not be obtained without sacrifice, yet the full significance of the sacrifice is not realized until our boys are brought home in flag draped caskets, to be tenderly laid away in the family burial lot, where saddened hearts can go for inspiration and where loving hands can beautify the final resting place. However, those whose hearts are heavy have the consolation of knowing that they will meet their loved ones in that eternal paradise beyond this vale of tears. The anticipation of this happy reunion will give courage and hope and consolation to those who now feel so keenly the sorrow of separation. To the aged, grief stricken father and the sorrowing brothers and sisters, the Times extends heartfelt sympathy.