Henry K. Nelson

NELSON, LUNDON, HOVELAND, CHRISTOPHERSON, HALVORSON

Posted By: Gordon Felland (email)
Date: 2/17/2008 at 16:44:57

Henry K. Nelson, living on section 18, Norway township, Winnebago county, born in De Forest, Wisconsin, on the 4th of March, 1874. His parents were Knut Lundon and Gertrude (Halvorson) Nelson, both of whom are natives of Norway, where they were reared and married. The only child born to them in that country was Nels Nelson, who died at the age of one year, while the parents were en route for the new world. Following the burial of the little one, the parents continued on their way until they reached Dane county, Wisconsin, where they took up their abode, and there the father worked at the carpenter's trade until about 1885. In that year they removed to Mount Valley township, Winnebago county, Iowa, and Mr. Nelson there gave his time and energies to general cultural pursuits for twenty-two years, becoming recognized as one of the valued and representative farmers of his district. He is now living retired in Forest City in the enjoyment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves. To him and his wife were born seven children after their arrival in America. Five of the family are yet living: Carl K., whose home is in Forest City; K. K., living in Mount Valley township; Henry K.; Hans Lundon, who resides in Forest City; and Chris K., living at Lake Mills.

Henry K. Nelson of this review was a lad of eleven years at the time of the removal of the family to Iowa. He acquired a common school education, continuing his studies to the age of sixteen, after which he began providing for his own support by working as a farm hand. He was thus employed until he reached the age of twenty-six years, when he rented his father's farm, upon which he lived for two years. On the expiration of that period he turned his attention to the creamery business, which he followed in Fertile, in Bristol and in Joice, Worth county, after which he removed to Scarville, Winnebago county, where he continued in the creamery business until 1915, when he purchased the east half of the southwest quarter of section 18 and the northeast quarter of the northwest quarter of section 19, making one hundred and twenty acres in all. This place he is now farming and has won a position among the substantial agriculturists of the neighborhood.

In 1900 Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Hoveland, her parents being G. 0. and Guro (Christopherson) Hoveland, of Mount Valley township. The father still resides on a farm in that township, but the mother died in 1908, her remains being interred in the Winnebago cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have been born five children, namely: Gladys, Kenneth, Harry, Conrad and one who died in infancy.

In politics Mr. Nelson has maintained an independent course. His fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to several local offices. He was the first mayor of Joice and in that position made a most creditable record. He was also president of the school board of Joice and he is now a director of the Scarville school. Mr. Nelson deserves much credit for what he has accomplished, for he started out in life empty handed and it has been through persistent purpose, honorable effort and straightforward dealing that he has gained his present position as a substantial and progressive citizen of the community in which he now lives.

Source: History of Winnebago and Hancock Counties, Iowa, 1917, Vol. II, page 337.