Emil W. Nelson, BiographyPorter County biographical sketches . . . .
Transcribed biography of Emil W. Nelson
EMIL W. NELSON. The life story of Emil W. Nelson, one of the most prominent business men of Chesterton, tells of a success achieved by an earnest concentration of mind and energies, a staunch devotion to the duty at hand, and the use of a natural endowment -- good business acumen. Beginning business life at the bottom of the ladder, by industry and determination he has worked his way upward solely by his own efforts and is a representative of the alert, resourceful and progressive business man of the day.
Mr. Nelson was born on a farm in Porter county, Indiana, on October 27, 1877. Nels and Hedda (Peterson) Nelson, his parents, were both natives of Sweden, where the former was born on September 7, 1828, and the latter on September 25, 1839. Both grew to maturity in their native land, where they were married June 13, 1861. Immigrating to America, they finally located in Porter county, Indiana, where they were farmer residents for a number of years but subsequently removed to Chesterton. There the father died on July 4, 1887, and was followed in death by his wife on March 13, 1903. To their union were born six children, three of whom are living: Andrew V. Nelson, who married Miss Alma Johnson and lives in Cook county, Illinois; Carl O. Nelson, whose wife was formerly Miss Amelia Gibson and who also resides in Cook county, Illinois; and Emil W. Nelson, whose name introduces this review.
The first eight years of Mr. Nelson's life were spent on a Porter county farm. Upon the family's removal to Chesterton in 1885 he entered the public schools there and completed the common school course. In the meantime leisure hours and vacations had been spent as an employe in the Hillstrom organ factory at Chesterton, and after his graduation from the eighth grade he became regularly employed at that factory. Sometime later, however, he took up similar work in Chicago, but after a time he returned to Chesterton and was employed in the organ factory there until December 1, 1904. He had also learned to decorate radiators. Thus early trained in the practical work of life, he became self-reliant, energetic and capable. Mr. Nelson had made money and had saved it. A good business opportunity presented itself at that time and he availed himself of it when he purchased the clothing stock of L. F. Diddie at Chesterton. This has proved a very profitable venture. Splendid business discernment and tireless energy have characterized his management of the store, now known as the Nelson Clothing Store, the success of which has fully demonstrated his efficiency as a business man. Recognizing the close relation between a progressive community and a thriving enterprise, he evinces a warm interest in every project which promises the advancement of Chesterton or of Porter county and adds to his interest his prompt and cordial support. He owns his clothing stock, the building in which it is established, and the brick residence on Morgan street in which he resides, and during the years that he was gaining his financial start he also supported his mother. Mr. Nelson is a young man and he may have a justified pride in what he has accomplished in so short a time, for he started with nothing so far as money is concerned and has succeeded alone by his assets of character and ability.
On November 2, 1904, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Nelson and Miss Dorothy R. Hillstron. Mrs. Nelson was born in Chesterton, Indiana, May 15, 1885, to John A. and Josephine (Gustafson) Hillstron, both of whom are natives of Sweden Mr. and Mrs. Hillstron were married in Chicago but have for many years been residents of Chesterton, where Mr. Hillstron was formerly foreman in the organ factory. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have one little daughter, Dorothy Joy, born July 12, 1912. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are members of the Swedish Lutheran Church at Chesterton, of which Mr. Nelson was formerly a trustee. He is a member and a past chancellor commander of Chesterton Lodge, No. 442, Knights of Pythias, and is a member of the Grand Lodge of that order, while .Mrs. Nelson is a member of Chesterton Temple, No. 339, Pythian Sisters. In politics he is a Republican and has served as committeeman from his precinct several times. Both are worthy representatives of the best citizenship of Porter county.
Source: Lewis Publishing Company. 1912. History of Porter County, Indiana: A Narrative Account of its Historical Progress, its People and its Principal Interests. Chicago, Illinois: Lewis Publishing Company. 881 p.
Page(s) in Source: 816-817
This biography has been transcribed exactly as it was originally published in the source. Please note that we do not provide photocopies or digital scans of biographies appearing on this website.
Biography transcribed by Steven R. Shook