Carl A.Nelson (1889-1935)

NELSON

Posted By: Debra Scott Hierlmeier (email)
Date: 11/18/2008 at 12:06:43

Rev. Carl A. Nelson (1889- circa 1935) and son, Paul David (1934-1935)
PHOTOS AVAILABLE
Family returning from Colorado, Mrs. Nelson and one son received bad injuries

Not in years has the Journal Herald been called upon to record so tragic an accident as that which happened to Reverend Carl Nelson and his family last Friday.

Reverend Nelson, Mrs. Nelson, and their children, Mary Ann, 7, Joyce, 6, Carl Jr. 3, and Paul David, 1, were returning from a vacation trip through Nebraska and Colorado when the accident occurred about eight miles east of Lexington, Nebraska, about 11 am, Friday. The members of the party were picked up by two passing automobiles and taken back to Lexington hospitals. Attendants said that little Paul David passed away almost immediately after arrival. Rev. Nelson lived until about 8 o’clock that evening when he succumbed as a result of punctured lungs. He had been conscious for only a few minutes during the time he was in the hospital.

Little Carl Jr., had both hips broken in the crash and was despaired of at first, but latest reports are that he is getting on nicely. Mrs. Nelson Suffered a broken rib, bruising and shock. Little Joyce sustained a broken nose and scratches and bruises. Last reports are that all are doing as well as could be expected following such a harrowing experience.

The car, a V8, had the top completely torn off but the body not so badly smashed. A motorist driving a little distance behind the Nelson car said he thought they were driving about 35 miles per hour when suddenly the car swerved and dashed headlong into the roadside ditch turning over three times. He felt sure that the steering gear had broken in some manner. Mrs. Nelson, who was driving said she could remember Rev. Nelson grasping the steering wheel, but thought she must have fainted as the next she knew she heard him calling her. She found herself on one side of the wreck and all the rest were on the other side. She dragged herself to his side, but he did not speak again.

A.S. Sutone, accompanied by Mrs. Freda Jorgensen, Mrs. Laura Johnson, Chris L. Hansen and Nels Jorgensen left for Lexington about 1 am, Saturday and arrived in Lexington at 8. All except Mrs. Johnson returned home Sunday morning. Mrs. Johnson is still with Mrs. Nelson.

A short funeral services was held for Mr. Nelson and little Paul David, both of whom were placed in one casket, at the funeral home in Lexington Saturday afternoon. Mrs. Nelson was taken on a stretcher to attend this service, and the little girls were also able to attend. The bodies were then shipped by rail to Avoca where they arrived Sunday morning.

Funeral services were held at the English Lutheran church in Avoca Sunday afternoon, with the Reverend Doctor Carlson of Blair, President of the Synod, and Reverend Mathew Christiansen of Cedar Falls, Iowa, conducting the rites.

Following the services the bodies were shipped to Milwaukee for burial, accompanied by Rev. Nelson’s father, Christian Nelson, who arrived in Avoca earlier in the day.

The family and friends of Rev. Nelson wish it understood that they deeply appreciate the extreme kindness and help extended to them by the residents of Lexington, Nebraska. Every possible courtesy ws extended to them by the people of that town.

Carl A. Nelson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Christian nelson, was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, July 30, 1899, where he received his elementary education. He received his theological training at Dana College, Blair, Nebraska and Lutheran Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota.

He was married to Miss Caroline Paulson of Milwaukee in June 1927, immediately following his graduation, and the couple spent most of the following year in Denmark and traveling in other European countries.

His first pastorate was that of the English Lutheran church in Avoca, which he founded in 1928. Through his efforts this church has been built into a valuable community asset, and the congregation has recently purchased the building which was originally the German Congregational church. Rev. Nelson had reached a prominent place in the church work and held important office in the synod. For 17 years he was secretary of the central committee of the Luther League of the synod and did outstanding work.

From the Scrapbooks of Bessie Gross Gustafsen
Source: Avoca Journal Herald