The Republican journal., 1915-04-08
Death OF A Once Famous
HOrSeman.
TWaterville Sentinel. |


Home in Togus and in his passing there
was removed a man who filled a unique
place in the history of the town, for Wa
u terville became known as the home of
Nelson, the man who was made famous
by being the owner of the wonderful
horse Nelson, and the strong, almost hui
man affection which existed between the
noble animal and his master.
Mr.. Nelson would have been u years
old the 10th day of the coming month and
was born IN Palermo, the son of Ben
jamin and Asenath BROWN Nelson.
When a young man he married Miss EN-
ma Jones, daughter of Francis Jones of
China, and for some years lived on a
farm about half a mile from the village
in China and later in the village itself
While in China he was interested in the
breeding and raising of horses, and SO
years ago he and his wife came to Wa
terville and lived at the Elmwood for
several years.
AUTHORITY ON HORSES.
At this period Mr.. Nelson was con-
sidered one of the greatest authorities on
horses in the country and it was there
that he and Mrs. Nelson entertained some
of the most prominent men in the coun-
try, who came here to see him on busl-
ness: For many years Mr.. Nelson was a
familiar figure on the streets of the city,
where he was often seen driving some of
his high blooded horses, and never failed
to attract the attention of all passers.
After several years Of residence at
the Elmwood, and at home on Silver
street, Mr. Nelson went to his farm,
which is called Sunnyside farm, situated
on the Oakland road, and this was for
years one of the show places of Water
vile.
For several years Mr.. Nelson had been
in failing health and during the past year
had been seen around the city but very
seldom. During all this time he was
tenderly cared for by his wife but when
she suffered shock several weeks ago
it became apparent that some other ar
engagements would have to be made. A
little over two weeks ago Mr.. Nelson
was taken to Togus by Frank M. Hume
we'll of Portland, a nephew of Mrs. Mel
son, and remained there till the end.
Since going to Togus, Mr.. Nelson had
gradually failed, growing steadily feeb-
Ter. He became unconscious toward the
last, not seeming to realize his condition
and apparently suffered no pain. The re-
mains will be brought to this city today
and the funeral will be held on Thursday
at the mortuary chapel at Pine Grove
cemetery.
Besides his wife, who is i'll at her home,
Mr.. Nelson leaves nephew, John E.
Nelson, of this city and Augusta, and two
nieces, Mrs. Charles Clukey of this city
and Mrs William Porter of Portland.
CIVIL WAR VETERAN.
Mr.. Nelson had very creditable war
record. He enlisted in the 10Th Maine
regiment and served there till he was
disabled and discharged After his re-
covery to health he re-enisted in the 18th
Maine and was promoted to the rank of
sergeant. He was elected commander of
W. S. Heath post of this city about II
years ago and was especially active in
recruiting members during his term of
Office. The Grand Army was very dear
to him end he felt that every old soldier
should belong TO the organization and
help to do honor to the flag
Mr.. Nelson while young man on the
farm became interested in horses and
was fortunate early in his career in de-
veloping the greatest horse ever bred in
Maine. It was chiefly through the great
stallion Nelson, 200, that the fame of
land. Before this horse was developed,
Mr.. Nelson had been breeding and selling
horses for a number of years and had
then developed some good ones. The
horse Nelson early showed Indications of
the qualities which were to win fame
for himself and his master, taking the
two year old stake at the Maine State
fair at Lewiston inf1994. The training of
his master showed itself the next year
when he took the worlds record for
half mile track with mark of 2. 26 3 4
at the same fair Mr.. Nelson then took
the horse all over the country, being re-
ceived with enthusiasm wherever he
went. The horse steadily cut seconds
from the record, each attempt lowering
the mark Just little, until in his own
State, at the now dismantled Rigby park,
he established what was for years the
worlds fastest stallion record of 2 %
and which is today the fastest record for
the ole style high wheel sulky. For many
years afterwards the horse was shown
on the tracks of Maine and the New
England States and his appearance with
his master in the sulky never failed to
bring forth an ovation. Although it was
chiefly through this horse that Mr.. Mel
son was famous, he had been the owner
VI d great udHH OlUeE HORSES WHOSE
names have become notable wherever
horsemen gather Chief among them was
the great stallion Wilkes, who was one of
the greatest sires ever known and whose
colts are now ranked among the leaders
in the trotting stock of the United States.
Many other horses of lesser fame were
owned from time to time by Mr.. Nelson,
and until few years ago, when fail
ing eyesight forced him to give up driving
on the track, he was one of the familiar
figures at every race held on the larger
tracks of the State.
KNEW RACING GAME.
No man in Maine had wider know
ledge of the racing game and no one was
more widely known than Mr.. Nelson for
not only did he win fame for himself all
over the United States but he was every
where known as the man from Maine and
his fame added to the glory of the State.
Although largely occupied with racing
he never abandoned the buying and sell
ing of horses, and for many years made
regular trips to the Boston markets with
horses which he had purchased in this
section. His judgment was accepted
without question by large clientele of
Boston buyers and it was not an infre-
quent occurrence for him to sell horse
to one of his customers there without
the buyer ever seeing the animal. Even
after he was unable to make the trips to