D. G. Stone. There is one child by this marriage, Edwin, and they also have an adopted daughter, Florence. Like his father, Mr. Coon has led a busy and useful life and is held in high regard throughout the community where he has always made his home.
SEGAR NELSON.
Iowa is indebted to Denmark for many of her progressive and enterprising citizens and among these must be included Segar Nelson of Richland township, Story county. He was born in Denmark on the 21st of December, 1846, and is a son of John and Marie Nelson, who spent their entire lives in the land of the Danes. They were the parents of seven children, of whom four became citizens of the United States, namely : John Nelson, a resident of Iowa; Ole Nelson, Richland township; Hans Nelson, Marshall, Iowa; and our subject.
Mr. Nelson of this review came to America in 1873, feeling after twenty-seven years spent in the old country that his opportunities for acquiring a competence that would enable him to become independent in the latter years of his life, would be far greater here than there. He had already served eighteen months in the army of his country and had received an honorable discharge. On arriving in New York he made his way westward and located in Marshall county, Iowa. He remained there for seven years and in 1880 he bought one hundred and thirteen acres of land on section 1, Richland township, Story county, where he continues to reside. He later acquired one hundred and fifty-two acres on another section of the same township but he has disposed of this. His homestead is one of the finest farms in this section of the county. It is well stocked with good breeds of cattle and hogs and contains modern improvements, all of which have been added since he purchased it, the property is kept in excellent repair and the well tilled fields yield an abundant harvest each year. Everything about the place suggests thrift, good management and careful supervision of details. Time was when it was thought that any one could be a farmer, but it is now universally conceded that it requires just as much skill, foresight and executive ability to cultivate the soil so that it will yield profitable returns as to manage any business or industry. That he was by nature qualified to do the work he chose as his life's vocation Mr. Nelson has clearly demonstrated, as the arduous work of his early years enabled him to retire from active farming some time ago.
Mr. Nelson chose for his helpmate Miss Christina Rasmussen and by this union were born two children: Mary, deceased; and Rasmus A., who lives at home and manages the farm. Ever since his naturalization conferred upon him the right of suffrage Mr. Nelson has cast his ballot with the republican party. He has always taken an active interest in politics and