Family History

In 1881, six Nelsen children boarded ship from their home in Denmark and sailed for the new country—James, Ole, Herman, Fred, Sophie and Mary. They sought their fortunes in the United States, leaving behind three more brothers. James Nelsen, after two years in Illinois, ventured west where he worked as a coachman and then later at the old Meadows race track. In 1883 James came to the White River Valley and went to work for Martin Nelsen--no relation--on Martin’s farm. Soon Martin gave his young farm hand an idea that would change his and his future family’s life. He suggested James homestead next to him.

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Soon James Nelsen took that advice and claimed 20 acres. He borrowed money and purchased seven more, then went back to work in Seattle. “He needed more money,” Miss Nelsen says. It was back to the homestead where he built the small home where he would start his new family. By this time James had met and married a German girl, Mary Dobler-1882. The Nelsen family began to blossom as the family roots took hold in the fertile Valley soil. James and Mary had four children, Harry, Frank and the two girls. The two oldest, Harry and Sidonia, were born in the original house on the original 20 acres.

James borrowed money from the Holland Netherlands Bank-“at 12 percent interest and payable in gold,” Miss Nelsen recalls-“to buy another 260 acres.” The land was all in the Orillia area, stretching North through what is now Longacres and the King Countypark along Interurban Avenue. “This was all trees in here-cottonwoods, maples, all had to be dynamited and cleared in order to farm,” Helen recalls. It was a time when neighbors pulled together, most of the Valley being separated into 260 acre hop and potato farms. James Nelsen soon became a supervisor in the hop fields. In 1905, Mary contracted with a local carpenter, Mr. Olsen, to build the Nelsen Family Residence that is here today.