plan. This bill passed the House by an overwhelming majority, but was defeated in the Senate. All other bills advocated by him are, however, upon the statute books of the State. Mr. Nelson has been present at every State convention held in Iowa since his residence here. He and his wife are devout members and consistent workers in the United Lutheran Church, and were among the organizers of Bethlehem congregation, then belonging to the Conference Synod. They take great interest in the Sunday-school connected with the church, and are worthy contributors to all benevolent institutions. He has been a member of the board of trustees, has often filled the position of delegate to the yearly conference, and served in other capacities. To sum up all in a word, Mr. Nelson is a man who has risen to his present position of esteem through his own efforts, valuing the worth of honor and friendship because gained through honorable channels, and while respected and beloved for his many cardinal virtues, it is but the truth to say that these tokens have come to him because they were justly deserved.
Ole Nernes is a Norwegian, and, like all his countrymen, is thrifty, industrious and enterprising. His birth occurred on March 3, 1822, within about ten miles of the old city of Bergen, and although he received quite a limited education in his youth, he has always appreciated the advantages of a good education, and favors public schools and competent instructors. At the age of twenty-six years he commenced doing for himself, his capital being limited to a pair of willing hands and a good constitution, and while still a resident of his native land was married, July 8, 1849, to Miss Margaret Nernes. In Norway the farm on which he lived was called Nernes farm, and the people who resided thereon were called by that name. Mrs. Nernes belonged to one of these families. She has borne her husband thirteen children, whose names are here given. John (who is married to Maggie Thompson, and is engaged in farming in Story County), Martha (who is the wife of T. N. Boug, a farmer of the county), Thomas O. Nernes (who is married to Christina Sheldahl, and also tills the soil in this county), Sakkarias (who is married to Enna Olson, and farms in the county), Lina (who is a well-educated young woman, and resides with her parents,) and Levi (who assists his father on the farm at home) are the only ones living. Those deceased are: Julia, Ole and Thomas (who died in infancy in Norway), Martha (died in infancy in Illinois), Julia Elizabeth (died in infancy), Elizabeth (died in infancy) and Elizabeth Olena (who also passed from life when an infant). Mr. Nernes emigrated with his family from Norway to the United States in 1853, and first settled in Kendall County, Ill., but two years later came to Story County, it being then in a very primitive state of civilization. They tell of how three families lived together in a log house about twelve feet square, and the hardships and vicissitudes they were compelled to endure were many indeed. The winter of 1855-56 was especially trying on account of the extremely cold weather, and the sufferings they passed through are almost untold. The nearest market of any merit was Des Moines, twenty miles distant, but they were compelled to go around so many ponds, sloughs, etc., that the distance was much longer. Mr. Nernes is now the owner of 480 acres of as fine land as can be found in Iowa, and his place is well improved with good buildings of all kinds. He has instituted a thorough system of drainage and an excellent plan of farming, and his property is among the most valuable in the county. He has always upheld the principles of Republicanism, and he and his family are devout