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Nels Nelsen

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Nels Nelsen

Birth	:	19 Sep 1862 Viborg, Viborg Kommune, Midtjylland, Denmark
Death	:	23 Nov 1933 Leeds, Benson County, North Dakota, USA
Burial	:	Saint Olaf Church Cemetery, Benson County, USA
Coordinate	:	48.0753330, -99.4548730
Inscription	:	No grave marker
Description	:	NELS² NELSEN (71) (Casper¹ Nielsen) was born Sept. 19, 1862, Gulev sogn (parish), Viborg amt. (city) Denmark, the oldest of four children(Niels, Bolid Kirstine, Karen Marie, Mette Kirstine ) born to Casper Nielsen (1831-1883) and Anna Kirstine Jensdatter. In Danish his name was Niels Nielsen, but the "i" was dropped from his first and last name when he arrived in America. His father, Casper, was a small farmer and served in the 1864 Schleswig-Holstein War 8th battalion, Company 6 Number 25 war between Germany-Denmark where he (age 33-37) served for 4 years. From his application for a "decoration... Read More	NELS² NELSEN (71) (Casper¹ Nielsen) was born Sept. 19, 1862, Gulev sogn (parish), Viborg amt. (city) Denmark, the oldest of four children(Niels, Bolid Kirstine, Karen Marie, Mette Kirstine ) born to Casper Nielsen (1831-1883) and Anna Kirstine Jensdatter. In Danish his name was Niels Nielsen, but the "i" was dropped from his first and last name when he arrived in America. His father, Casper, was a small farmer and served in the 1864 Schleswig-Holstein War 8th battalion, Company 6 Number 25 war between Germany-Denmark where he (age 33-37) served for 4 years. From his application for a "decoration given for meritorious services", we know his father was hospitalized at Faaborg's Military Camp Hospital in Denmark. Casper, Nels' father, lived 15 more years until his death at age 52 which was purportedly due to a disease or illness sustained in the war. Nels completed his formal education in Viborg, Denmark and worked up until the age of 24 as a carpenter before he emigrated to Belgrade, Stearns Co. Minnesota in 1887. Nels had neighbors in Denmark, the Peterson family and they had already moved to Belgrade, MN. He never went back to visit family in Denmark. We know he had not registered with the Danish army so was not allowed to return. He knew his future wife #1, Maria Sophia Eiby, (Mary in America) before he came to the United States as they lived less than five miles apart in Viborg, DK. Maria emigrated to Belgrade, MN in 1888. Nels married (1) Maria (Mary) Sophia Eiby born May 26, 1863 in Hvorslev sogn (parish), Viborg, Denmark, dau. of Niels Severine Eiby and Ane Marie Elisabeth Severin Harthimer of Viborg, Denmark. Her father was a "saddler" and made saddles for horses. Nels and Mary Eiby had two children: 1. Christ Nelsen b. Feb. 27, 1891, Belgrade, MN. Plumbing Contractor who lived in Kenmare, ND. m. Anna Elizabeth Christensen. They had nine children. 2. Marie Nelsen lived for 3 years and died in Sisseton, Roberts County, South Dakota or Belgrade, MN. From 1895-1900 while Nels and Mary Eiby Nelsen lived in Belgrade, MN, Nels' profession was that of a carpenter which he did for six years. In 1900 they were living near Sisseton,(Effington, SD) Lien Township, Roberts County, South Dakota. Mary was 37 yrs old and Nels was 36. Son, Christ, was 9 yrs old. They homesteaded and farmed. Also living with them was Anker H. Laursen, a nephew of Mary Eiby Nelsen and Mary Pedersen, dau. of Soren Peterson. Sometime before moving to Kenmare,ND Nels' wife, Mary Eiby, died in Lein Township, Roberts County, SD. In the 1900 US Federal census she is still listed in South Dakota along with her dau. Marie Nelsen. After proving up on his farm property in South Dakota and occupying it for seven years Nels sold his farm. In 1901 he arrived in Kenmare, Ward county. North Dakota with his son, Christ Nelsen. His wife, Mary, and daughter Maria had died. Cause of death unknown. He presumably moved to Kenmare, ND due to Soren Petersen and his wife, Sidsel Knudsen, close friends he knew in Viborg, Denmark and who also moved Belgrade, MN before moving to Kenmare. . In Mar. 6, 1902 in Kenmare, ND Nels married (2) Anna "Annie" Maria Petersen b. Feb. 25, 1883 Belgrade, MN, dau. of Soren Petersen and Sidsel Knudsen who were natives of Denmark and left Kenmare for the state of Washington. Nels and Anna "Annie" had six children: 1. Edna Marie Nelsen b. Aug. 25, 1902 Kenmare, ND married June 17, 1922 Nels Uhd Nelsen, son of Johannes Nielsen and Hansina. was from Ølgod, Ribe Denmark. He was a rural mail carrier in Kenmare, ND. 2. Henry "Hank" Emil Nelsen b. Feb. 5, 1906 Kenmare ND Died Oct. 26, 1979. Single. 3. Emma Nelsen Nelsen b. May 12, 1904 married Josef A. Sandberg of Harlow, ND . buried Saint Olaf Church Cemetery. They bought and sold horses. 4. Selma D. Nelsen b.Oct. 30, 1911 . Single . d. Jan. 8, 1936 at the Rugby Hospital. Died of Kidney trouble after High School graduation. 5. Lillian Mabel Nelsen b. Mar. 29, 1915 in Kenmare, ND married Mr. Dudley Knowlton. Dudley owned a dairy farm in Devils Lake, ND 6 . Marian Ceclia Nelsen b. May 10, 1917 Kenmare, ND married (1) Frank Meyer m.(2) Albert Kurtz lived in Spokane, WA . He died. Lived in Spokane, WA Wife, Annie, died Nov. 6, 1918 from the influenza epidemic of WWI in Kenmare, ND. Nels purchased lots and established an implement business, while later he extended the scope of his activities by adding a stock of hardware and groceries. He remained for fourteen years (1901-1915) one of the leading and representative merchants of Kenmare, ND conducting an extensive business under the firm style of Nels Nelsen & Poulsen Company, his trade covering a wide territory. Wife, Annie, died Nov. 6, 1918 from the influenza epidemic of WWI in Kenmare, ND. Lastly he married (3) Minnie Petersen Knutson (Annie's older sister) b. Feb. 22, 1871 Viborg, Denmark m. July 1, 1921 Minot, ND. died Mar. 24, 1951 Kenmare, ND and she raised the children. He served on the Kenmare city council for several years and also on the school board and as mayor for one year. He founded the Kenmare Danish Brotherhood Lodge No. 198 in Kenmare, ND and donated the land on which it was built. He was president of the lodge for many years. He was also mayor of Kenmare for 1 term (4 yrs). The integrity of his business methods, his enterprise and indefatigable energy brought him very gratifying success and he conducted the store until 1915, when he sold out and retired from active business life. He, however, still owned the business block which he occupied, together with farm property in Benson county and a two story residence in Kenmare which he erected. He also had considerable other town property and was instrumental in promoting the building of the new hall which is now being erected by the Danish Brotherhood in Kenmare. He was likewise one of the organizers of the Farmers Elevator Company and served as director on its board. From his real estate holdings he derived a very substantial annual income and at all times his investments were made most judiciously, indicating his sound business judgment and keen sagacity and discernment. After leaving Kenmare and retiring, Nels became a well- known resident of Brinsmade, Benson County, ND where his funeral service was held on Nov. 25, 1933. He made his own coffin. Although there is no marker at the cemetery. Nels was a pioneer of the Dakotas homesteading near Sisseton, SD in 1887 where the family lived for 14 years. In 1922 he moved to his farm near Brinsmade, Benson County, ND where he resided until his death. He helped build the altar at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Minnewauken, ND. Nels died of cirrhosis of the liver. He is survived by his 3rd wife, Minnie Petersen Nelsen, at Brinsmade, daughters Mrs. Edna (Nels U.) Nelsen of Kenmare, Mrs. Emma (Joseph A.) Sandberg of Harlow, Selma D., Lillian Mable and Marion Ceclia at home and two sons, Christ Nelsen of Kenmare and Henry Nelsen at home. Sources: 1900 Federal USA Census North Dakota History and people: Outlines of American History Vol. 2 p. 56 by Clement Augustus Lounsberry. Anne Christensen Nelsen, wife of Christian Nelsen. She provided all photos. Evelyn Nelson with assistance from Holger Ejby Vallsden, genealogy researcher in Denmark.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Nels Nelsen's memorial?
Nels Nelsen's memorial is located at: Saint Olaf Church Cemetery, Benson County, USA.
When did Nels Nelsen death?
Nels Nelsen death on 23 Nov 1933 in Leeds, Benson County, North Dakota, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Nels Nelsen's memorial?
Latitude: 48.0753330
Longitude: -99.4548730

Family Members:

Parent

Spouse

Minnie Knudsen Petersen Nelsen

(1871 - 1951)

Anna Maria “Marianna” Petersen Nelsen

(1883 - 1918)

Children

Christian “Christ” Nelsen

(1891 - 1950)

Edna Marie Nelsen Nelson

(1902 - 1944)

Emma Josephine Nelsen Sandberg

(1904 - 1970)

Henry Emil “Hank” Nelsen

(1906 - 1979)

Lillian Mabel Nelsen Knowlton

(1915 - 1939)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Saint Olaf Church Cemetery
Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 48.0753330, -99.4548730

2. Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery
Maddock, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 48.0476340, -99.5249100

3. West Minnewaukan Lutheran Free Church Cemetery
Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 48.0215200, -99.4152970

4. Greenwood Cemetery
Maddock, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9766998, -99.4477997

5. Our Saviour Lutheran Church Cemetery
Harlow, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 48.1702995, -99.5025024

6. Vasa Lutheran Cemetery
Esmond, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 48.0796920, -99.6164170

7. Free Church Cemetery
Minnewaukan, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 48.0497017, -99.2750015

8. Minnewaukan Cemetery
Minnewaukan, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 48.0671997, -99.2711029

9. Saint James Catholic Cemetery
Minnewaukan, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 48.0663564, -99.2706200

10. Trinity Free Cemetery
Minnewaukan, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 48.0656773, -99.2706352

11. Saint Peter Cemetery
Minnewaukan, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 48.0639000, -99.2696991

12. Stony Lake Cemetery
Minnewaukan, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9911530, -99.3105050

13. Zion Cemetery
Maddock, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9646988, -99.5532990

14. Brinsmade Lutheran Cemetery
Brinsmade, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 48.1796989, -99.3394012

15. Flora Cemetery
Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9411011, -99.4261017

16. North Viking Cemetery
Maddock, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9488983, -99.5318985

17. Wilmerth Cemetery
Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 48.2155991, -99.4135971

18. Saint Johns Catholic Cemetery
Brinsmade, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 48.1879060, -99.3189280

19. Saint Petri Lutheran Cemetery
York, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 48.1944430, -99.5891760

20. Clearview Cemetery
Maddock, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9306050, -99.5358240

21. Immanuel Lutheran Church Cemetery
Isabel, Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 48.0788600, -99.6910790

22. Hesper Cemetery
Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9963989, -99.6624985

23. Lebanon Cemetery
Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 48.2243650, -99.3278750

24. Fron Cemetery
Benson County, USA
Coordinate: 47.9183630, -99.6186540