Nehemiah Henry Nelson (1880-1937)

NELSON, GUTHRIE, BUTLER, VANWINKLE, VAN WINKLE, ROSS, PATTERSON, WIGGINS

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 6/11/2022 at 18:55:09

From Nevada Evening Journal November 18, 1937 (page 3)

Final Rites Held Wednesday for N. H. Nelson

Special to the Journal
McCallsburg, Nov. 18--Funeral services for N. H. Nelson, 57, for over a third of a century prominent business man and active citizen of McCallsburg, who died very suddenly here Saturday night, were held Wednesday afternoon at the Presbyterian church, of which he was a member of long standing.

The church was filled with relatives and friends, not only from the community, but from various parts of the state.

The service was in charge of Rev. J. M. Kennedy of Central Presbyterian church, Nevada, assisted by Rev. Bakke of Bethany Lutheran church of McCallsburg, personal friend of the deceased.

The songs were by a quartette consisting of Mrs. W. H. Reed, Mrs. F. E. Nail, Mrs. G. W. Mills and Miss Catherine Craig with Miss Cleo Tett at the piano.

Pallbearers were W. H. Reed, Herman Tett, Eli Opstvedt, Paul Pederson, Lewis Osmundson and Clarence Anderson, while the flowers were in charge of Mrs. Andy Thompson and Mrs. Lloyd Ellingson.

The floral offerings were many and very beautiful, entirely banking the casket and the front of the pulpit.

Among the relatives and friends from a distance here for the service were Mr. and Mrs. Albert Peterson, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ross and Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Nelson and daughters Jean and Lois from Des Moines; Mr. and Mrs. S. V. VanWinkle and sons Newell and Eugene from Dubuque, Otis Nelson of Los Angeles, Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Patterson and daughter Margaret of Iowa Falls; Silas Nelson and daughter Marie from Roland; Eli and Henry Houck of Iowa Falls; Sten Olson of Radcliffe, Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Guthrie of Charles City; Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Nagle of Ames, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Butler and children, Mrs. Della Guthrie and Miss Daisy Guthrie of Nevada, Ed Olson of Hampton and Manley Dakins, Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Couser and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Malliett of Zearing.

There were scores of others here from Story and Hardin counties where Mr. Nelson was so well and favorably known.

The following life sketch of the deceased was read by Rev. Kennedy as a part of the service:

Nehemiah Henry Nelson eldest son of Henry and Amelia Nelson, was born on a farm in Hardin county on Sept. 12, 1880. He, with his two younger sisters, was left motherless at six years of age. Subsequently he receive a mother's care from Cecelia Osteen Nelson whom his father married. Following this marriage the family group increased to include two more sisters and three brothers, making a family group of eight children.

Mr. Nelson first attended the country school, later attending and graduating from the Jewell Lutheran college, graduating in the year 1898. The following year he came to McCallsburg where he began work in the McCallsburg State Bank. Since that time his interests have centered in McCallsburg where he engaged in banking, insurance, loans and real estate.

He was married on June 11, 1903 to Miss Anna Guthrie. The family home was established on east Main street next door to the home which they live today. They lived in the first home for eight years when they completed the building of the home they have occupied for the past twenty-six years.

Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Nelson. They are Lucile, now a teacher in the public schools at Britt; and Ilo now Mrs. Ralph Butler of Nevada.

Mr. Nelson was confirmed in the Lutheran church by the Rev. N. G. Petersen in 1894. In 1905, together with his young wife, he became a member of the McCallsuburg Presbyterian church. He was one who was willing to be a help in those causes that were good and he gave much of his time to furthering that which he felt would be on benefit to the community.

Death came to him suddenly on the evening of November 13th, caused by apoplexy. He is survived by his loving wife, his two daughters and two grandchildren Kenton and Vincent Butler of Nevada; and by all his brothers and sisters. These are Mrs. Helen VanWinkle, Dubuque; Mrs. Charles Ross, Des Moines; Mrs. Gertrude Patterson, Iowa Falls; Mrs. Mamie Wiggins, Washington, D. C.; Mr. Lloyd Nelson, Des Moines; Mr. Silas Nelson, Story City; and Otis Nelson of Los Angeles, California.

Mr. Nelson will be remembered as a man of sincerely and simplicity, of few words, and of conviction of purpose. He carried the burdens of many others but never forced upon others responsibilities that he could carry for himself. He enjoyed his work and found satisfaction in the service he rendered by his work.