NELSON, Dr. William W., 1834-1926

NELSON, WILSON, MATTHEWS, ADAMS, SKINNER

Posted By: Betty Hootman-Volunteer
Date: 11/15/2012 at 20:05:21

Obituary of Dr. Wm. W. Nelson

Dr. Wm. W. Nelson, son of Wm. and Elizabeth (Wilson) Nelson, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, Nov. 30, 1834 and passed away at his home in Birmingham, Feb. 27, 1926, aged 91 years, 2 months and 27 days. He came to Iowa with his parents by ox team in 1845, locating in Washington township, Van Buren county, Iowa, where he grew to manhood. He taught school and by his own resources acquired means by which he was enabled to attend Washington college for two years. He decided to take up the study of medicine, and in 1857 went to Wooster, Ohio, where he read medicine with Drs. Day and Wilson. During the winter of 1858-9 he attended a course of lectures the medical department of the Iowa State University then located at Keokuk and the following year completed a course of study in the Jefferson college of Philadelphia, Penn., graduating March 12, 1860.

Soon after graduating he was united in marriage to Miss Almira Matthews of Lawrence co., Penn. Immediately after they came to Van Buren county, Iowa, locating at Pierceville, where he began the practice of medicine. On the 19th of Aug., 1962, he was commissioned by Gov. Kirkwood as First Asst. Surgeon of the 15th Iowa Infantry and mustered into service Sept. 14, 1862, at Keokuk, Iowa. He participated in the battles of Corinth, Vicksburg, Bentonsville and Atlanta going with Sherman on his March to the Sea. He was in the Grand Review at Washington, D. C., May 24, 1865 and was mustered out with his regiment at Louisville, Ky., July 24, 1865, at close of the war. He was the lat surviving Field Officer of Crocker’s Iowa Brigade. On his return from the war he located in Birmingham, and with the exception of a year spent in California, he has resided there continuously ever since. Dr. Nelson was a member of the United Presbyterian church of Birmingham for many years. In 1901 he joined the Presbyterian church and was elected an elder the same year. He was always a regular attendant at all services, _____?_____, Bible Class. Was elected mayor of Birmingham and sought to faithfully carry the burdens that came to him as a loyal soldier and citizen. He was the youngest of nine children. All have preceded him in death, as has also his faithful wife, who was called home just one week before his summons. Unto himself and wife were born seven children, two dying in infancy. The remaining are Meldon W. Nelson, Birmingham, Ia; Nettie X. Nelson at home and who has faithfully cared for her aged parents; Mrs. A. B. Adams, Selma, Iowa; Dr. A. E. Nelson, Sydney, Iowa; Mrs. B. E. Skinner, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; also 12 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren and numerous relatives and friends.

The funeral was held at his late residence conducted by his pastor Rev. Irvine. A quartet of singers from the Presbyterian choir beautifully sang “Lead Kindly Light.” Six of his grandchildren acted as pall-bearers and he was laid to rest beside his wife in Maple Hill cemetery.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book B, page 1, Keosauqua Public Library; Keosauqua, IA