Darius Nelson
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Darius Nelson was born May 30, 1848, in Lomira Twp., Dodge Co., WI, and died January 15, 1929, in Fitzgerald Twp., Ben Hill Co., GA, at age 80. He is the son of Horatio Nelson of Otham, County Kent, England, and Angeline Reed of Monroe Co., NY.  

Harriet Matilda "Hattie" Serl was born June 3, 1861, in Dekalb Co., IL, and died September 4, 1929, in Fitzgerald Twp., Ben Hill Co., GA, at age 68. She is the daughter of Henry Searle of Hope Twp., Durham Co., Canada West, and Charlotte Clarinda Fuller of Pennsylvania.

Prior to Wisconsin statehood on May 29, 1848, Milwaukee County was part of the Territory of Wisconsin and was very large and extended westward to include what would eventually become Dodge County (among others).

Darius Nelson and Harriet Matilda Serl were married November 11, 1880, at the home of William Serl, Scott Twp., Webster Co., NE.

Darius Nelson and Harriet Matilda (Serl) Nelson had nine children:

  1. George A. Nelson: Born about November 1, 1881, in Harvard, Clay Co., NE; Died October 14, 1931, in Fitzgerald Twp., Ben Hill Co., GA, (age 49).
  2. Jesse Nelson: Born 1885 in Harvard, Clay Co., NE; Died 1885 in Harvard, Clay Co., NE.
  3. Harry Ernest Nelson: Born September 12, 1886, in Harvard, Clay Co., NE; Died August 10, 1950 in Unknown (age 63). Married to Lilly Laura White: Born July 30, 1890, in Minnesota; Died April 3, 1971, in Unknown (age 80).
  4. Holley Tilson Nelson: Born April 20, 1888, in Harvard, Clay Co., NE; Died September 16, 1970, in Savannah, Chatham Co., GA (age 82). Married January 23, 1916, Fitzgerald, Ben Hill Co., GA, to Rachel Rosetta McDaniel Born September 21, 1892, in Waresboro, Ware Co., GA; Died April 21, 1981, Savannah, Chatham Co., GA (age 88).
  5. Horace Wilson Nelson: Born April 20, 1888, in Harvard, Clay Co., NE; Died 1889 in Unknown.
  6. Charles Henry Nelson: Born September 23, 1891, in Harvard, Clay Co., NE; Died November 6, 1948, in Fitzgerald, Ben Hill Co., GA (age 57). Married August 3, 1913, in Lynn, Bay Co., FL, to Ruby Corine Welsh: Born November 24, 1898, in Unknown; Died June 19, 1943, in Fitzgerald, Ben Hill Co., GA (age 44).
  7. Nellie Mae Nelson: Born September 30, 1893, in Harvard, Clay Co., NE; Died November 1971 in Greensburg, Decatur Co., IN (age 78). Married (1) about 1912 in Lynn, Bay Co., FL, to William Henry Moody: Born in Portland, Cumberland Co., ME; Died Unknown in Birmingham, Jefferson Co., AL. Married (2) about 1926 to Burleigh Edward Downing: Born July 25, 1873, in Logan Co., OH; Died 1938 in Unknown (about age 65); Buried in Mount Zion Cemetery, Jefferson Twp., Logan Co., OH. Married (3) to J. C. Naylor: Born Unknown; Died Unknown.
  8. Unknown Nelson: Born before 1900; Died before 1900.

TIMELINE

Darius Nelson was born May 30, 1848, in Lomira Twp., Dodge Co., WI.

Harriet Matilda Serl was born June 3, 1861, in Dekalb Co., IL.

Leigh Larson note: Prior to Wisconsin statehood in 1848, Milwaukee County was very large and extended westward to include what would eventually become Dodge County (among others).

The 1840 U. S. Census taken on 1840 shows Horatio Nelson living in Lake Twp., Milwaukee Co., Wisconsin Territory. 1 Male: 30 to 39 (Horatio); 2 Males 5 to 9 =2 (unknown); 1 Female: 20 to 30 (Angeline); and 1 Female 0 to 5 (Mary Ann).

Wisconsin gained statehood in 1848.

 The 1850 U. S. Census taken on September 10, 1850, shows Haritia Nelson (age 40) born in England is a Farmer with real estate worth $600 living in Lomira Twp., Dodge Co., WI. Living with him is his wife Angeline Nelson (age 38) born in New York. Also living there are three children, all born in Wisconsin: Mary Nelson (age 14); Jane Nelson (age 9); and Darius Nelson (age 2). Henry Hibard, a Farmer, also lives there.

In December 1852 the family removed from Dodge Co., WI, 10 miles from Fond du Lac, to St. Clair Co., MI.

On February 3, 1853, William Serl and Wife sold by Warranty Deed for $550 to Wm. Broom the N 1/2 of the SE 1/4 of Section 4, T 13 N, R 17 E (Lomira Twp., Dodge Co., WI).

The 1860 U. S. Census dated June 18, 1860, shows Phillip Keating (age 40) born in Massachusetts with real estate of $400 and personal estate of $307 is a Farmer and is living in Attica Twp., Lapeer Co., MI. Living with him are: Matilda Keating (age 22) born in Canada West; Maria Keating (age 6) born in Michigan; Felix B. Keating (age 3) born in Michigan; and Mary A. Keating (age 1) born in Michigan.

The 1860 U S. Census taken on June 18, 1860, shows William Sorrell (age 27) born in England with real estate of $600 and personal estate of $260 is a Farmer and is living in Attica Twp., Lapeer Co., MI. Living with him are: Mary A. Sorrell (age 23) born in Wisconsin; Matilda E. Sorrell (age 2) born in Michigan; and Phoebe J. Sorrell (age 9/12) born in Michigan.

The 1870 U. S. Census taken on July 19, 1870, shows James Patten (age 45) born in New York with real estate of $6,420 and personal estate of $2,340 is a Farmer and is living in Chesterfield Twp., Macomb Co., MI. Living with him is Velina Patten (age 40) born in New York, who is Keeping House. Also living there are the following, all born in Michigan: Lydia Patten (age 18); Sylvia Patten (age 15); Minnie Patten (age 3); Darius Nelson (age 22), a Farm Laborer, and Irvin Savage (age 17), a Farm Laborer.

The 1870 U. S. Census taken on July 22, 1870, shows William Serl (age 38) born in England to foreign-born parents with real estate of $600 and personal estate of $150 is a Farmer and is living in Kingston Twp., Tuscola Co., MI. Living with him is Mary A. Serl (age 34) born in Wisconsin with a foreign-born father, who is Keeping House. Five children are also living there, all born in Michigan with a foreign-born father: Matilda E. Serl (age 12); Phebee J. Serl (age 10); William H. Serl (age 7); Mary A. Serl (age 3); and Joseph C. Serl (age 1).

About May 1877 the Serl family removed to Webster Co., NE.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 3, 1880, shows Darius Nelson (age 32) born in Wisconsin to English and New York-born parents is an unmarried Laborer and is Boarding in the Village of Harvard, Clay Co., NE.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 7, 1880, shows Wm. Searl (age 47) born in England to English-born parents is a Farmer and is living in Stillwater Precinct, Webster Co., NE. Living with him is his wife Mary A. Searl (age 43) born in Wisconsin to England and New York-born parents who is Keeping House. Five of their children are also living at home, all born in Michigan to England and Wisconsin-born parents: Matuilda E. Searl (age 22); Wm. H. Searl (age 17); Mary A. Searl (age 13); Joseph C. Searl (age 11); and Ida May Searl (age 6).

Darius Nelson and Harriet Matilda Serl were married November 11, 1880, in Scott Twp., Webster Co., NE.

Darius Nelson and Harriet Matilda (Serl) Nelson, courtesy of Kerry Serl.

The 1885 Nebraska State Census taken on June 18, 1885, shows William Serl (age 48) born in England is living in Still Water Pct., Webster Co., NE. Living with him are: Margeret Serl (age 48) born in Wisconsin; William H. Serl (age 22) born in Michigan; Mary A. Serl (age 18) born in Michigan; Joseph C. Serl (age 16) born in Michigan; Idens Serl (age 11) born in Michigan; and Francis Serl (age 6) born in Nebraska.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 16, 1900, shows Darius Nelson (age 53) born May 1848 in Wisconsin to English and New York-born parents is a Farm Laborer owning his own home free of a mortgage and is living in Sibbie, Wilcox Co., GA. o., NE. Living with him is his wife of 20 years, Hattie M. Nelson (age 39) born June 1861 in Illinois to Canadian and Pennsylvania-born parents, with 5 of the 9 children born to her still alive. Also living there are his five unmarried children, all born in Nebraska to Wisconsin and Illinois-born parents: Gerg. A. Nelson (age 18) born November 1881, who Log Trims; Harry E. Nelson (age 13) born September 1886, a Farm Laborer; Holley B. Nelson (age 12) born April 1888; Charles H. Nelson (age 8) born September 1891; and Nellie May Nelson (age 6) born September 1893.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 16, 1900, shows Darius Nelson (age 53) born May 1848 in Wisconsin to English and New York-born parents is a Farm Laborer who owns his home free of a mortgage and is living in Sibbie, Wilcox Co., GA. Living with him is his wife of 20 years, Hattie M. Nelson (age 39) born June 1861 in Illinois to Canadian and Pennsylvania-born parents, with 5 of the 9 children born to her still alive. Also living there are his five unmarried children, all born in Nebraska to Wisconsin and Illinois-born parents: Gerg. A. Nelson (age 18) born November 1881, who Log Trims; Harry E. Nelson (age 13) born September 1886, a Farm Laborer; Holley B. Nelson (age 12) born April 1888; Charles H. Nelson (age 8) born September 1891; and Nellie May Nelson (age 6) born September 1893.

The Red Cloud Chief, Red Cloud, Webster Co., NE, July 5, 1907

D. Nelson, commander of Colony Post No. 14, Fitzgerald, Georgia, arrived last night for a visit with his sisters, Mrs. Younglove and Mrs. Mary Serl of Blue Hill, who came here today to meet him. Mr. Nelson was one of the early settlers, having located near Inavale in 1876. He left here in 1880 and went to Harvard, Neb., where he resided until about twelve years ago, when he joined the Fitzgerald colony of old soldiers who went to Georgia to establish a colony. Mr. Nelson has evidently prospered in his southern home.

The 1910 U. S. Census taken on April 16, 1910, shows Darius Nelson (age 61) born in Wisconsin to English and New York-born parents is a Buildings Mover who owns his home free of a mortgage and is living at 501 Advance Street, 2nd Ward, City of Fitzgerald, Ben Hill Co., GA. Living with him is his wife of 29 years, Harriett M. Nelson (age 48) born in Illinois to English Canadian and Pennsylvania-born parents, with 5 of the 9 children born to her still alive. Also living there are his two unmarried children, both born in Nebraska to Wisconsin and Illinois-born parents: Charley H. Nelson (age 18), a Farm Laborer; and Nellie M. Nelson (age 16).

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 9, 1920, shows D. Nelson (age 71) born in Wisconsin to English and New York-born parents is a Methodist Church Janitor who owns his home free of a mortgage and is living at 501 E. Swwannee, 2nd Ward, City of Fitzgerald, Ben Hill Co., GA. Living with him is his wife, Harriet Nelson (age 57) born in Illinois to English Canadian and Pennsylvania-born parents.

Darius Nelson died January 15, 1929, in Fitzgerald Twp., Ben Hill Co., GA, at age 80.

Harriet Matilda "Hattie" (Serl) Nelson died September 4, 1929, in Fitzgerald Twp., Ben Hill Co., GA, at age 68.