"Nels P. Nelson, deceased, was a very successful farmer of Township 57, Range 35, Buchanan County, and owned at the time of his death fifteen hundred acres of land which was nearly all improved. This property he accumulated through honest, industrious toil and good business methods. He was particularly devoted to the cultivation of fruits, his apple orchard yielding from three to five thousand bushels annually, and besides this he raised quantities of pears, cherries, peaches, apricots, quinces, chestnuts and small fruits generally. He was honored and respected, being a liberal supporter of churches and schools and a true friend of the poor.

Mr. Nelson was born February 27, 1828, in Norway, and was the son of Peter Nelson, deceased. In 1847, our subject emigrated to America and soon after arrived in St Joseph. Coming to Center Town-ship, he located on a wild farm. On May 7, 1858, he wedded Miss Enger Tomenia, daughter of Lars and Christiana (Kittleson) Hoverson, who were both natives of Norway. After their marriage, they went to a farm in Platte County, where our subject raised many varieties of fruit for thirty years with signal success.

In 1849, he took the trip across the plains to California, being five months on the way and going with ox teams. On his arrival in Shasta City, he proceeded to engage in mining. In company with six others, he then began rafting on the river, starting from Salt Creek, twenty miles above Redding, and was one of the first white men to go through Sacramento in a boat. After being fairly successful, he returned to Missouri in 1853, resuming his farm work.

He was devoted to the cause of education and was a school director for many years. He was a member of the Lutheran Church and esteemed by all for his honorable, upright and straight course in life. In politics, he was a Democrat.

Mr. Nelson's death occurred on November 5, 1888, in St Joseph.

Nine children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Nelson: Katie S., wife of Harry Cox of Platte County; Cora Alice; Paulina A., who became the wife of Frank Robertson of Wilbur, Neb.; Lenora J., Clara May, George A., Laura C., Nina Pearl and Leroy Price." Buchanan and Clinton Counties, Missouri, Biographical Record, Chicago, IL, USA: Chapman Bros., 1893