- JOHN J. NELSON, engineer on the Chicago & Northwestern
Railroad, residing in Janesville,
- Wis., is a native of the Empire State, having been born in
Rochester, N.Y., on the 11th day of July, 1839. At the tender
age of four years, his parents dying, he was left an orphan,
and made his home with an uncle until thirteen years of age,
when he started out in life for himself. Leaving Rochester,
he went to Buffalo, N.Y., where he was employed in the candy
business for one year, after which he returned to his native
city. The same year he went on a whaling voyage to the Baltic
Seas, and was engaged in that line for three years. He then
continued to follow the sea, and worked upon a canal until 1859,
when he was employed as fireman on the Syracuse & Oswego
Railroad. In the month of March, 1861, he came West, locating
in Chicago, where he secured a position as fireman on the Chicago
& Northwestern Railroad, continuing in that position for
two years, when he was placed in charge of an engine. Since
that time he has continually held the rank of an engineer, and
by his ability and the efficient manner in which he discharged
his duties has gained the entire confidence of the company, and
won favor with the traveling public. His run is now between
Janesville and Fort Howard, and in all the years of his long
continued service he has never had an accident of any consequence.
- In 1864, on Christmas day, Mr. NELSON was united in marriage
with Miss Honore THAN, their
- union being celebrated in Janesville. The lady is a daughter
of Timothy and Mary THAN, and when an infant, came with her parents
from Ohio to this county. Four children have been born of their
union, two sons and two daughters- Hattie, who is now the wife
of Telfer IRONSIDE, residing in St. Louis; Cora, still at home;
George W., who died at the age of ten years; and Leroy, the youngest
of the family. In politics Mr. NELSON is a supporter of the
principles advocated by the Republican party. For the long period
of twenty-eight years he has made his home in Janesville, is
numbered among its worthy citizens, and is highly respected by
many warm friends.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 776-777.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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