Page 382. Nels M. Nelson. To reveal the personal career of men who have raised themselves from humble circumstances to positions of responsibility and trust in a community, is no ordinary pleasure. Self-made men, men who have achieved success by reason of their personal qualities and who have impressed their individuality upon the business development and agricultural life of the community, have an important influence upon such institutions as have come within the sphere of the usefulness. Of such, we have the unquestionable right to say is Nels M. Nelson, a prosperous farmer of Aurdal township. Mr. Nelson was born on April 4, 1885, in Aurdal township, Otter Tail county, Minnesota, on his father’s old homestead farm. He is the son of Nels E. and Methe (Hallan) Nelson, who came to America from Norway. Mr. Nelson’s father was born in Norway on December 17, 1844, and his mother in the same country on January 6, 1850. Nels E. Nelson, who passed away in this township and county, in 1909, was the son of Ingebret and Aaste Nelson, both of whom were natives of Norway, who settled in Aurdal township, Otter Tail county, in 1868.
They took a homestead farm of one hundred and sixty acres in this township and here spent the balance of their lives. Before coming to Otter Tail county, Mr. Nelson’s father had lived for a time in Goodhue county. He was a typical pioneer of this section, who took a great interest in public improvements. He had one of the best farms in this part of Otter Tail county. Many years before his death, he erected a magnificent brick house, made of bricks burned on the farm. His wife, now a widow, is still living on the old farm. Mr. and Mrs. Nels E. Nelson were the parents of three children, Anna, Nels and Henry P. The Nelsons have always been identified with the Lutheran church and have always been prominent in religious affairs. Nels M. Nelson, who was reared on his father’s old home farm, was educated in the public schools of his home community and, during his boyhood and youth, performed the tasks which generally fall to the lot of the average country boy. In 1914, Mr. Nelson bought the Martin Halverson farm, comprising one hundred and sixty acres of splendid land. He is a general farmer and stock man and has been very successful, although he is a young man and has many years before him in which to work out his life’s success.
Page 383. On October 25, 1909, Nels M. Nelson was married to Anna Golberg, who was born in Olmstead county, Minnesota, in 1889, and who is the daughter of Endrew O. and Mary Golberg. After living for many years in Olmstead county, Minnesota, they came to Otter Tail county, about 1900 and are now residents of Sverdrup township. Mr. and Mrs. Nels M. Nelson have two children, Norris and Kenneth. Mr. Nelson has always been independent in politics. He cares more for measures and men than he does for parties and party emblems. He has served in many positions of trust and responsibility, especially positions of local trust. For a number of years, he was a supervisor of Aurdal township and, for three years, was chairman of the board. He has also served as a member of the school board and as clerk of the board. Mr. and Mrs. Nels M. Nelson are members of the Lutheran church. (History of Otter Tail County Minnesota, Its People, Industries and Institutions, Volume II, Edited by John W. Mason, B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., Indianapolis, 1916)