Clarence Cornelius Nelson was born January 1, 1879, in Rockford, Winnebago Co., IL, and died May 28, 1967, in Hot Springs, Fall River Co., SD, at age 88. He was the son of Emil Gustav Nelson of Sweden and Lena Sophia Rosander of Sweden.

Edith Christina Larson was born February 8, 1883, on the family farm in Farmington Twp., Waupaca Co., WI, and died November 5, 1971, in Hot Springs, Fall River Co., SD, at age 88. She was the daughter of Olaus Larsson of Fröbbestorp, Torsas, Kalmar lan, Småland, Sweden, and Catarina Olivia Wilhelmina Larsdotter of Varna Parish, Ostergotland, Sweden.

Clarence Cornelius Nelson and Edith Christina Larson were married April 15, 1900, at the Salem Lutheran Church, Farmington Twp., Waupaca Co., WI. Both are buried in Hot Springs, Fall River Co., SD.

Clarence Cornelius Nelson and Edith Christina (Larson) Nelson had nine children:

1. Myrtle Katherine Nelson: Born August 29, 1901, in Rockford, Winnebago Co., IL; Died July 18, 1994, in Denver, Adams Co., CO (age 92). Married February 24, 1923, in Gregory Co., SD, to John William Granberg: Born October 31, 1901, in Sweden; Died February 2, 1985, in Denver, Adams Co., CO (age 83).
2. Hazel Marguerite Nelson: Born October 30, 1902, in Rockford, Winnebago Co., IL; Died January 30, 1999, in Prineville, Crook Co., OR (age 96). Married December 25, 1931, in Detroit, Wayne Co., MI, to Robert Maurice Farring Jr.: Born September 9, 1897, in Brooklyn, Brooklyn Twp., Anne Arundel Co., MD; Died July 23, 1977, in Prineville, Powell Butte, Crook Co., OR (age 79).
3. Paul Emil Nelson: Born January 26, 1905, in Rockford, Winnebago Co., IL; Died March 12, 1999, in Lincoln, Lancaster Co., NE (age 94). Married (1) January 26, 1929, in Tripp Co., SD, to Elnora B. Goodman: Born September 30, 1907, in Nebraska; Died July 18, 1961, in Lincoln, Lancaster Co., NE (age 53). Married (2) after 1961 in Lincoln, Lancaster Co., NE, to Lulu Mae (Nissen) Noble: Born January 12, 1909, in Lincoln, Lancaster Co., NE; Died June 9, 1989, in Lincoln, Lancaster Co., NE (age 80).
4. Fern Emily Rosebud Nelson: Born October 28, 1907, in Iona, Dixon Twp., Gregory Co., SD; Died March 19, 2009, in Portland, Multnomah Co., OR (age 101). Married June 11, 1934, in Winner, Tripp Co., SD, to Verdus Bert Peterson: Born April 13, 1911, in Bijou Hills, Brule Co., SD; Died November 25, 1992, in Vancouver, Clark Co., WA (age 81).
5. Olive Sophia Nelson: Born March 8, 1910, in Dixon Twp., Gregory Co., SD; Living. Married (1) June 24, 1936, in Chamberlain, Brule Co., SD, to Leslie Osman Goodman: Born March 26, 1904, in Lyons, Burt Co., ND; Died January 17, 1960, in Rapid City, Pennington Co., SD (age 55). Married (2) April 25, 1963, in Tonasket, WA, to LeRoy Lull: Born January 4, 1901, in Albion, Boone Co., NE; Died on June 12, 1983, in Yuma, Yuma Co., AZ (age 82). Married (3) September 3, 1988, in Yuma, AZ, to Fredrick Leonard "Fred" Dirks: Born December 1, 1913, in Hancock Twp., Bon Homme Co., SD; Died January 30, 2001, in Yuma, Yuma Co., AZ (age 87).
6. Laurel Victoria Nelson: Born December 9, 1911, in Dixon Twp., Gregory Co., SD; Died January 3, 2010, in Astoria, Clatsop Co., OR (age 98). Never married.
7. Walter Rosander Nelson: Born May 22, 1915, in Dixon Twp., Gregory Co., SD; Died December 26, 1980, in Eugene, Lane Co., OR (age 65). Never married.
8. Violet Theodora Nelson: Born May 9, 1918, in Dixon Twp., Gregory Co., SD; Died July 19, 2007, in Astoria, Clatsop Co., OR (age 89). Married March 8, 1941, in Butte, Boyd Co., NE, to Howard Solomon Peterson: Born May 19, 1919, in Bijou Hills, Brule Co., SD; Died November 22, 1998, in Longview, Cowlitz Co., WA (age 79).
9. Norman Norris Nelson: Born December 14, 1919, in Dixon Twp., Gregory Co., SD; Died October 16, 2006, in Oklahoma City or Edmond, Oklahoma Co., OK (age 86). Never married.

TIMELINE

Clarence Cornelius Nelson was born January 1, 1879, in Rockford, Winnebago Co., IL.

The 1880 U. S. Census taken on June 4, 1880, shows E. G. Nelson (age 23) born in Sweden to Swedish-born parents is a Post Office Clerk living at 405 South Second Street, 2nd Ward, City of Rockford, Winnebago Co., IL. Living with him is his wife, Sophia Nelson (age 20) born in Sweden to Swedish-born parents,, who is Keeping House. Also living there are his two children, both born in Illinois to Swedish-born parents: Clarence Nelson (age 1-5/12); and Norma Nelson (age 2/12, March). E. G.'s unmarried brother also lives in the household: Mark Nelson (age 18) born in Sweden to Swedish-born parents, who is a Grocery Clerk.

Edith Christina Larson was born February 8, 1883, on the family farm in Farmington Twp., Waupaca Co., WI.

The 1895 Wisconsin State Census taken on June 20, 1895, shows O. Larson is living in Farmington Twp., Waupaca Co., WI. There are 7 Males and 3 Females living in the household, with 8 having been born in the U. S. A., and 2 of Scandinavian birth.

Clarence Cornelius Nelson and Edith Christina Larson were married April 15, 1900, at the Salem Lutheran Church, Farmington Twp., Waupaca Co., WI.

The 1900 U. S. Census taken on June 13, 1900, shows Clarence Nelson (age 21) born January 1879 in Illinois to Swedish-born parents is living in Ogema Twp., Price Co., WI. Living with him is his wife of less than one year, Christina Nelson (age 17) born February 1883 in Wisconsin to Swedish-born parents.

120 Acres; 20.81 Acres and 20.73 Acres.

The 1905 Wisconsin State Census taken on June 1, 1905, shows Olaus Larson (age 54) born in Sweden to Swedish-born parents is a Farmer owning his own farm free of a mortgage and living in Farmington Twp., Waupaca Co., WI. Living with him is his wife, Katharine O. Larson (age 57) born in Sweden to Swedish-born parents. Also living there are his four unmarried children, all born in Wisconsin to Swedish-born parents: Edith C. Larson (age 22), does Housekeeping; Elmer Larson (age 19) a Farm Laborer; Walter E. Larson (age 17) a Farm Laborer; and Freeda M. Larson (age 13). Also living there are his grandchildren, all born in Illinois to Illinois and Wisconsin-born parents: Myrtle Larson (age 3); Hazel Larson (age 2); and Paul E. Larson (age 4/12).

The 1910 U. S. Census taken on May 3, 1910, shows Clarence C. Nelson (age 31) born in Illinois to Swedish-born parents is a general farmer owning his farm in Dixon Twp., Gregory Co., SD and has been married 10 years. Living with him is his wife, Edith C. Nelson (age 27) born in Wisconsin to Swedish-born parents, and has all five of the children born to her still alive. Also living there are their children: Myrtle C. Nelson (age 8) born in Illinois; Hazel M. Nelson (age 7) born in Illinois; Paul E. Nelson (age 5) born in Illinois; Fern E. Nelson (age 2) born in South Dakota; and Olive S. Nelson (age 1/12) born in South Dakota.

The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 13, 1920, shows Clarence C. Nelson (age 41) born in Illinois to Swedish-born parents is a Farmer owning his own farm and living in Dixon Twp., Gregory Co., SD. Living with him is his wife Edith C. Nelson (age 36) born in Wisconsin to Swedish-born parents. Living with them are their nine unmarried children, born to Illinois and Wisconsin-born parents: Myrtle K. Nelson (age 18) born in Illinois who is a Rural School Teacher; Hazel M. Nelson (age 17) born in Illinois; Paul E. Nelson (age 14) born in Illinois; Fern E. R. Nelson (age 12) born in South Dakota; Laurel V. Nelson (age 9) born in South Dakota; Walter R. Nelson (age 4-7/12) born in South Dakota; Violet T. Nelson (age 1-7/12) born in South Dakota; and Norman N. Nelson (age 1/12) born in South Dakota. Note: Clarence C. Nelson was the Census Enumerator.

The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 2, 1930, shows Clarence C. Nelson (age 51) born in Illinois to Swedish-born parents and first married at age 21 is a Farmer owning his own farm and living in Dixon Twp., Gregory Co., SD. Living with him is his wife Edith C. Nelson (age 36) born in Wisconsin to Swedish-born parents and first married at age 17. Living with them are six of their children, all unmarried and born in South Dakota to Illinois and Wisconsin-born parents: Fern E. R. Nelson (age 22) who is a Rural School Teacher; Olive S. Nelson (age 20) who is a Rural School Teacher; Laurel V. Nelson (age 18); Walter R. Nelson (age 14); Violet T. Nelson (age 11); and Norman N. Nelson (age 10). Note: Clarence C. Nelson was the Census Enumerator.

Clarence Cornelius Nelson died May 28, 1967, in Hot Springs, Fall River Co., SD, at age 88.

Edith Christina (Larson) Nelson died November 5, 1971, in Hot Springs, Fall River Co., SD, at age 88.

STATE VETERANS' HOME CEMETERY

This cemetery was recorded by Dorothea Rohlck, Virginia Lautenschlager, Andrea Martin, Robin Dustman, Trayce Dinkel and Judith Van Dewater of Hot Springs, South Dakota with assistance of the Black Hills Chapter DAR in 1992. It has been re-keyed by Judy Huber and published by the South Dakota Genealogical Society.

In the introduction to this cemetery in the published book on "Cemetery Records of Fall River County, South Dakota" Dorothea writes the following introduction:

"This cemetery is located behind (to the west of) the South Dakota State Veterans' Home which is on the west side of Hot Springs. From a brochure we quote:

"The Grand Army of the Republic asked the Dakota Territorial Legislature to create a home for veterans, and in 1889 the Dakota Soldiers' Home was established in Hot Springs. Its name was changed to the South Dakota State Veterans' Home in 1967. It services . . .  have continued uninterrupted for more than one hundred years."

"To reach the cemetery go west on University Avenue (Business Highway 18) to 23rd Street, turn north for 4 blocks to Wilson Avenue, then turn west 1 block and then north a short block to Ely Avenue. Turn west and follow the road up the hill about a half of a mile. The location in the pine-covered hills is a peaceful and isolated spot.

"The cemetery is fenced. The  main gate on the east is usually locked but a side gate on the south is open. There is a monument in the center dated 1915. The rows are numbered beginning at the east gate. Rows numbered 1-4-5-8-9-12-13-16 are on the north side and rows numbered 2-3-6-7-10-11-14-15 are on the south side as far back as the monument. Behind the monument each row goes across the entire width of the cemetery. They are numbered 17-18-19-20 and 21.

"Grave numbers in each row begin on the north end. Locations will be a row number and a grave number. The earliest burials began in the year 1894 and continue to the present time.

"Information was also found at he courthouse in the Register of Deeds office. The County Veterans Service Officer gave assistance initially with a computer printout of all the names. Names of states are given according to Zip Code usage by the U.S. Post Office. Other military abbreviations are standard usage.

"A number of wives are buried in the cemetery with their husbands. (Judy Huber's note: A number of wives of men buried in the National Cemetery in Hot Springs are buried here as the National Cemetery would not accept women at that time.)"


LAST NAME     FIRST NAME          SEX  BORN          DIED            ROW    GRAVE    VET   NOTES
Nelson        Clarence C.          M 01 Jan 1879   28 May 1967      6       40     SAW   S.D.  Pvt.  Co. K  3 Reg.  Il  Inf.
Nelson        Edith                M 08 Feb 1883   05 Nov 1971      6       39
 

South Dakota Legislature: Clarence C. Nelson

Years of Service

Edith Larson at age 16 - Waupaca, WI, 1899

Edith Larson and Clarence Nelson wedding - Waupaca, WI, April 15, 1900

 Edith Larson and Clarence Nelson wedding - Waupaca, WI, April 15, 1900

Back Row: Almo, Edith, Arthur; Front Row: Cora Johnson, Vonita, Velma. Picture taken in Waupaca in 1961. This was the last time Almo, Edith and Arthur were together, since Almo died in 1962.

Grave marker of Edith Larson Nelson

Elm Grove, SD, 1914

Olive Nelson, Wilbur Larson and Laurel Nelson - Waupaca, WI about 1914

Clarence and Edith Nelson's 65th wedding anniversary

 Edith, Hazel, Paul and Myrtle Nelson - Elm Grove, SD, 1916

 Back row: Paul, Hazel, Myrtle, Edith and Clarence; Front row: Fern, Olive, Laurel and Walter - Elm Grove, SD, 1919

The six Nelson sisters, 1928

The Clarence and Edith Nelson family

Norman and Walter, 1973