Samuel G. Nelson

Submitted by: Kathryn E. Young

Source: Portrait and Biography Album of Will County, Illinois, 1890 Page 200 and 201

Samuel G. NELSON, Supervisor and Justice of the Peace of Milton (Wilton) Township, is a native of Randolph County, Ind., and a son of John and Elizabeth (GRAY) NELSON. His father was of Scotch-Irish descent, and was reared in Huntingdon County, PA., he later removing to Kentucky and from there to Ohio. His next removal was to Randolph County, Ind., whence he went to Montgomery County, making his home on a farm four miles west of Crawfordsville. He represented his county in the Indiana Legislature and at one time made a strong race for the State Senate from that district, but was defeated. In 1848 he came to Will County, Ill., where he died in 1851 at the residence of our subject. His life work was that of farming, and his labors were successful. During the War of 1812 he served in the American army. In politics he was a Democrat, and in religion a member of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. He was an own uncle of Senator Joseph E. MCDONALD, of the Hoosier State. His wife was born near Wheeling, W. VA., and died in this county in 1852.

The parental family consisted of the following named children: McDonald, Esther, William T., Elizabeth, Sarah, Nancy, Samuel G., Mary and Daniel M. The only survivors of this household band are: William T., Samuel G., and Daniel M. He of whom we write was born May 8, 1827, and passed his early life on the farm in Montgomery County, Ind., receiving his education in the common schools, under the instruction of Joseph E. MCDONALD, later one of Indiana's prominent legislators. When about of age young NELSON came to Illinois, settling on the farm where he yet lives. He owns one hundred acres of land on section 3, his residence being in the village of Wallingford. Every dollar that he possesses has been made by his own exertions and in farming, which has been his life work.

In 1862 Mr. NELSON joined the Union Army as a private in Company H, One-hundredth Illinois Infantry, but was soon elected First-Lieutenant of his company. In November, 1863, he was promoted to the Capitancy, and subsequently to the rank of Major, in which he finished his service. After the close of the war he was mustered out, June 12, 1865, at Huntsville, ALA., and at Chicago, Ill, was discharged July 1. During his campaign life Maj. NELSON bore a part in the famous battles of Stone River, Chattanooga, Mission Ridge and other conflicts of less prominence yet no less dangerous to those who participated. Among these were the engagements at Nashville, Franklin, and the minor affrays of the Georgia campaign as far south as Jonesville. At Mission Ridge he was wounded in the left hip by a minie ball.

The first marriage of Mr. NELSON was celebrated at the home of the bride in Wilton Township. Mrs. Abigail (MEACHAM) Nelson was born in Oneida County, N. Y., in 1830, and died August 29, 1855. She left one daughter, Elizabeth H., born September 24, 1854. On December 12, 1878, this daughter became the wife of Alexander PRICE, who died November 1, 1879. They had one son, Herbert A., who with his widowed mother now lives with our subject.

Mr. NELSON contracted a second matrimonial alliance May 1, 1856, choosing for his companion Miss Sarah A. THOMAS, of Cook County. This lady was born in Florence Township, Oneida County, N. Y., in 1837, and died April 19, 1877. This marriage was blessed by the birth of six children, whose record is as follows; Celia J., who was born July 1, 1857, married William H. WARREN, a farmer of Wilton Township, and has four children Minnie, Celia, Ella and Walter; William T. was born May 21, 1859, and was killed by the kick of a horse August 24, 1873; Sarah E. was born October 28, 1861, and died August 30, 1881; Mary M., born October 8, 1866, is the wife of Anthony F. DENNIS, a farmer in Peotone Township, and has one daughter, Elsie M.; James M. was born January 1, 1872, and Laura B., November 29, 1875.

For eighteen years Mr. NELSON has held the official station of Justice of the Peace, and is serving his sixteenth year as Township Supervisor. He takes daily and weekly papers in sufficient numbers to keep himself thoroughly informed in the progress of mankind and the news of the day, and is much better read and more intelligent that most men. His home is one in which both friends and strangers are sure of a cordial welcome and the best of entertainment he can give; while to enterprises of genuine worth he is a liberal contributor. Although not connected with any religious organization, he believes in and supports them. He has always been a Democrat and taken an active interest in party affairs. He belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.