The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1914-01-02
Death Of Hon. N. e. Nelsoa.

The passing of Hon. N. E. Nelson at
San Diego, Cal. the day before Christ.
mas makes another of the rapidly in
creasing vacancies in the ranks Of the
early pioneers of this northwest, Mr..
Nelson was "a pioneer of three states,
Wisconsin Minnesota Territory, and
Dakota Territory.
He was born in Norway and 1t an
early age accompanied his grandparents,
who came across the ocean to Join
a married daughter who had been in
this country two years and who lived at
what was perhaps the first distinctly
Norwegian settlement of the northwest
at Muskego, Wis. This was in 1s49, and
at that time this settlement was the far
western edge of civilization. He first
had employment in general store whose
proprietor was something of politician,
and later through his influence he was
made clerk in the U. S. land Office at
Lacrosse. The land office was sub.
sequently removed westward into Min
nesota first to Red Wing and later to
Henderson. Mr.. Nelson had fine clerical
abilities and besides was a good linguist,
and was therefore SO valuable man in
the office that be accompanied it IN It's
migratiohs and through various adm.ni.
strations. During this perioc be was
married'in March, 1853 When the civil
war broke out, he resigned his land oftice
work and enlisted at the first call for
volunteers in the famous First Minn.
regiment and followed its fortunes dur
ing the next three years. He was taken
severely i'll towards the last of his en-.
listment and when he arrived home after
his discharge was not able to walk or
raise his arms without assistance.
After recovering to some extent, he
was appointed judge of probate to tlRa
vacancy caused by death At the sue.
ceeding election he ran for register of
deeds for Sibley county and was elected
and held that office for two terms. In
1869, Major Stoever, a local Minnesota
politician was appointed collector for
this customs district which was then at.
tached to Minnesota. Mr.. Stoever ap.
pointed Mr.. Nelson as spcial deputy col.
lector and these two. accompanied by
John Often of Neche came together to
Pembina. From that date until about
five years ago Mr.. Nelson was almost
continually connected with the customs
here, and the latter part of the time as
collector. He was also member of the
territorial leg stature of 1882 and was one
of the leaders IN the famous capital fight
in which the capital of the territory was
removed from Yankton to Bismarck.
Mr.. Nelson was also member of the
first district school board elected and
organized within the present boundaries
of this state, which board built the first
school house, which still does duty as
feed store in this city.
Mr.. Nelson also took the first home
stead in this state and this land office,
his entry being number one.
He built a residence about a mile out
of town on this homestead and lived
there with his family for many years.
He was fond of trees and flowers and
the grounds around the home are still
growing trees and flowers that are mon
uments to his love for the beautiful in
nature.
These mere details are but the rough
outlines of life that meant much for
the present generation. Reared among
the rough scenes and fellows of the far
west, yet ne was a man who always bore
himself with certain dignity, which
compelled the respect of all. He was
free hearted and generous to a fault and
was universally liked and esteemed. He
was man of superior brain power and
and natural leader among men. He
was one OF those men most Of whom are
now dead, that took charge of this ter.
ritory and state in infancy and put it in
a way Of becoming the young giant that
it has now become. No better or greater
can be erected to the mem.
ory OF these men. who rough q many Of
them were. who were removed to !. great
extent from the civilizing influences now
so common, yet from that rough and
rude beginning, built the foundations
for 90 grand . supsrstucture. { No state
IN this union ever started ont with bat,
tor auspicsa ednoationally, rsMsieaIly.
morally OF 6haacially. And ,uosS
these early bulds.a. NV had sssataf =.