ness convinced him that the trade to which he had been reared offered more favorable inducements, and accordingly, in 1891, he once more returned to Sheldahl and in company with B. C. Dueland rented the mill at that place, which they operated for three years under the firm name of Nielsen & Dueland. In 1894 he and his partner purchased a two-thirds interest in the mill at Slater and began its operation, acquiring the remaining interest seven months later. This mill was at the time only a feed mill and in order to meet the growing demand of an increasing population the firm enlarged the building and put in modern machinery, including a complete roller-process plant, making the mill one of the leading industries of the locality. In April, 1910, the building was destroyed by fire, the depot and freight houses also being swept away at the same time. The firm of Nielsen & Dueland was composed, however, of men of determination and they immediately purchased the elevator building of Oley Nelson and fitted it out with milling machinery, so that they have since conducted an elevator and a mill, being also extensive dealers in coal and feed. They are now enjoying a large and increasing patronage.
In 1879 Mr. Nielsen, before coming to America, was united in marriage to Miss Sina M. Peterson, a native of Denmark, and two children blessed this union: Nels M., now of Slater; and Catherine, the wife of Fred Nelson of Missoula, Montana.
The life record of Mr. Nielsen is a remarkable illustration of the possibilities in America for men who have learned a useful trade and are possessed of business ability to make practical application of their knowledge. He has no reason to regret making Iowa his home, as he has secured a competency and is assured of a liberal annual income. Politically he is allied with the prohibition party. He has not sought public office but has ably served as member of the town council. He and his wife are connected with the Methodist church, Mr. Nielsen being one of the stewards of the local organization.
OLIVER G. TICHENOR.
Many of the successful agriculturists of Story county are native sons, men whose parents came here in pioneer days and broke the prairie, felled the trees for their log cabins, built the roads and in short endured all of the hardships and privations incident to life in an unsettled district and among these may be mentioned Oliver G. Tichenor. He was born in Nevada township on the 7th of October, 1869, a son of Joseph and Martha J. (McCullough) Tichenor. The father was a native of Delaware, born on the 9th of March, 1813, and was a son of Moses Tichenor. He went to Indiana as a child with his parents and there he spent his boyhood and youth, acquiring his education in the district schools. He remained in his