Carl K. Nelson

NELSON, HALVORSDATTER, RUSLEY, CHRISTOPHERSON

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 5/5/2006 at 04:07:51

Three times elected to the office of county auditor after having served for a partial term to fill out a vacancy is indisputable evidence of the ability and fidelity which Carl K. Nelson has displayed as an incumbent in that position. He was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, December 11, 1870, a son of Knut and Gertrude (Halvorsdatter) Nelson, who were natives of Norway and following their marriage came to the United States in 1868. They settled first in Dane county, Wisconsin, and in 1885 came to Winnebago county, Iowa. The father is a carpenter by trade but followed the occupation of farming in Iowa, and he and his wife are still residents of Winnebago county. They became the parents of eight children, of whom Carl K., Nels, Henry, Hans and Christian are now living. They lost two children who were named Nels and one other who died in infancy.

Carl K. Nelson was educated in the public schools of Winnebago county and at Decorah, Iowa, and in the Highland Park School at Des Moines. While in the capital city he took up the study of telegraphy, but followed it for only a year. He afterward engaged in grain buying at Scarville, Iowa, for five years and in 1906 he was a candidate for the position of county recorder, on which occasion he was defeated by only forty-three votes. After the election he was appointed deputy county treasurer and made a most excellent record in that position, in which he was retained for five years, or until October, 1911, when he was appointed county auditor to fill a vacancy for one year. On the expiration of that period he was elected for a two years' term and has been twice reelected, having no opposition at any of his three elections, for the public has long since become convinced not only of his fidelity but of his marked capability in office and feels that public office could not be in safer hands. Mr. Nelson has also served as township clerk of Logan township and as secretary of the school board in Scarville. He has always given his political allegiance to the republican party and is a firm believer in its principles.

On the 7th of July, 1997, Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Emma Rusley. Mrs. Nelson is a daughter of Ole 0. and Johanna (Christopherson) Rusley, both born in Telemarken, Norway. The father was born in 1850 and was eleven years of age when he came with his parents to the United States in 1861. The birth of the mother occurred in 1847 and in 1869 she accompanied her parents on their removal to the new world. Mr. and Mrs. Rusley were married in Winnebago county, Iowa, in 1873, and became the parents of seven children, namely: Ole, Emma, Christopher, John, Tilda, Sever and Leva. The father died in 1892, and the mother passed away in 1910. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson died in infancy, but they have an adopted daughter, Selma.

Mr. and Mrs. Nelson hold membership in the United Lutheran church and they make their home in Forest City. Mr. Nelson is also the owner of a farm which he rents, deriving therefrom a good income. They are widely and favorably known in the county, enjoying the warm regard of all with whom they come in contact, and over the record of his public career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.

Source: History of Winnebago and Hancock Counties, Iowa, 1917,Vol II, page 528