The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1922-03-05
CAPT. NELSON
CROSSES RIVER
AGED SOLDIER OF THE
CROSS GOES TO HIS
REWARD
WAS 80 YEARS OLD
Born AT ''BeImont," Ante-Bel-
lum Home OF The Nelson
Family, In Lowndes
County, April 13, 1912.

Reaching out from the unfathom-
able depths of the unseen world, the
grim fingers of dissolution seized
with icy grip the heart of Captain
John Albert Nelson and stilled its
beating. "The warm heart that throb-
bed for others woes" knows no more
the ways of sorrow, but only the JOY
and gladness of the redeemed of God.
The relentless and inexorable
reaper, that spares neither the golden
ringlets Of childhood nor the snowy
locks of age, has again invaded the
sacred sanctuary of Columbus home.
Where a week ago loving hands were
administering with tender touch to
one of the earth's noblemen, there
now remains but the affectionate
memories Of his sweet, pure, unself-
ish life.
A thousand years ago Omar Khay-
yam wrote, "The wine of life keeps
oozing drop by drop; the leaves of
life keep falling one by one" And
so, one by one, the ones we love pass
on. The grave gives shelter to the
earthly tenement, and the redeemed
spirit returns to God.
John Albert Nelson was born at
Belmont" the ante-bellum home of
the Nelson's, in Lowndes County,
Miss, ten miles northeast of Colunn-
bus, April 13, 1912. Had he lived un-
til the 18th of next month he would
have been eighty years of age. He
fell ASLEEP in Jesus" February 20,
1922, after having been dangerously
ill but few days. In September,
1920, Captain Nelson, in an acciden-
tai fall, sustained a fractured hip,
since which time he has suffered much
pain, and it is thought that the suffer
ing affeeted shis heart Il is believed
that heart failure was the immediate
cause of his demise. His going was
painless. No struggle attended his
transition. He closed his eyes in
sleep here and opened them to behold
the wonders of the city not made
with hands.
When the civil war came on, john
A. Nelson joined the Confederate
Army. He was a captain in the
quartermaster's department of the
49th Mississippi, and served the South
for the entire duration of the four
years strife. He ever conducted him
self as brave, heroic sacrificing sol
dier of the section he loved.
Early in life he gave his heart to
God and united with the Presbyterian
Church. For many years he was an
elder. In the church, as in his home,
the army, and every walk of life, he
was true and faithful at all times and
under all circumstances He was con-
secrated in his life, generous to a
fault, and always a strong arm upon
which his church, his friends, his COM
rades or his family might with stead
fast reliance lean.
For thirteen years he was proctor
at the college, and his duties as such
were discharged with the utmost
fidelity.
Captain Nelson was the father of
five children. One daughter and the
mother went on the long journey
many years ago and were at the gate
of heaven to welcome him home. Two
sons and two daughters survive They
are Mrs. Cabell Wood, Of Clarksville, 5
Va, formerly Miss Louise Nelson; q
John Albert Nelson, of Columbus; I
Mrs. f. M. Sandifer, of Greenwood, Y
Miss, formerly Miss Lizette Nelson; t
Furniss Nelson, of Columbus. A I
sister of Captain Nelson, Mrs. Lewis,
lives at Webster Grove, No. To all e
these we would extend our heartfelt
sympathy, and for comfort in their g
sorrow would direct them to that c
wondrous Being who said, "And l, S
il | be lifted up from the earth, will !,
draw all men unto Me" u
One of his daughters (Lizettc) a
said of her father, "He left US some Il
thing of inestimably greater value C
than silver and gold, the priceless L
heritage of a stainless name" ci
A night or two before he passed n
away, Captain Nelson repeated to "
hose around him two Of his favorite 81
-erses Of scripture, comforting words
# Saint Paul that had many times
imoothed out for him rough places
llong the pathway Of life, Romans
1859: For / am persuaded, that
lcither death, nor life, nor angels, Z
ior prineipalities, nor powers, nor B
hings present, nor things to come. T
Tor height, nor depth, nor any other =,
reature, shall be able to separata w.
rom the love Of God. which is in Q
'hrist Jesus our Lord IS
Funeral services were held on We'd o.
esday afternoon, at $3.50 O'Clock, at s.
he First Presbyterian Church, con- e
rrr..r i.