Title: Albert L. Nelson Family Papers
Dates: ca. 1880s-1957
Collection Number: MSS 11062
Quantity: 2 feet
Abstract: Consists of correspondence, copy of a marriage certificate, obituaries and
newspaper clippings, reminiscences, wall hangings (poetry and epigram), a certificate, photographs, and post cards. Nelson served in the Senate of the North Dakota Legislature from 1913-1916 and was also the owner of the Rolette County Examiner from 1905 to 1916. Some items pertain to Nelson's relatives, Mrs. Anna R. Nelson (San Francisco and Los Angeles CA), Olaf August Nelson (Tioga, ND), Mrs. Nels (Freda) Stoltz (Alderwood Manor, Snohomish County, WA). The collection may have been compiled by Mrs. Nels Stoltz.
Provenance: The collection was donated by William Floering in February 2010. The collection was processed and the inventory created, by Emily J. Ergen in April 2010.
Property Rights: The State Historical Society of North Dakota owns the property rights to this collection.
Copyrights:
Access: This collection is open under the rules and regulations of the State Historical Society of North Dakota.
Citation: Researchers are requested to cite the collection title, collection number, and the State Historical Society of North Dakota in all footnote and bibliographic references.
Transfer:
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
Albert L. Nelson was born at Litchfield, Minnesota in May 1874 to Swedish born parents. He had two brothers, Lewis, who was born about 1877, and Ole (Oley) L., who was born about 1869. Albert graduated from high school in 1893, taught school for five years, went to Washington, D.C. and was employed by the Census bureau, studied law at Columbia University, worked on the Minneapolis Tribune, and spent a year working in a law office in Minneapolis before taking the bar exam in 1905. On July 10, 1905, he married Anna J. Nelson in Hennepin County; they had no children. In October 1905, they moved to Rolette County, North Dakota, and Albert bought out the Rolette County Examiner. Nelson was a Mason, and was a principal officer during the establishment of the Doric Lodge No. 100, Rolette from 1911-1912. In 1912, A. L. Nelson was elected Republican State senator, in what was the 19th district, and served in the 13th and 14th sessions. He was also on the Judiciary Committee of the Senate in 1913. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention from North Dakota in 1912. In 1916, Nelson sold the Examiner and he and Anna moved to Montana. They ended up living in San Francisco, CA, by 1930, and Albert L. Nelson passed away May 11, 1933. His funeral service was held at Cathedral Mortuary in San Francisco.
BOX AND FOLDER INVENTORY
BOX 1:
1 Two letters to Albert’s relative (aunt or wife?) Mrs. Nelson (San Francisco, CA?) from
John C. Stanton, Division Superintendent of the Bradstreet Company, June and December 1926
- Copy of Albert L. Nelson and Anna J. Nelson marriage license with envelope to Mrs. A.
R. Nelson in San Francisco, CA (Nelson’s widow?), December 28, 1945
- Obituary of Albert L. Nelson, 1933
- Obituary of Olaf August Nelson (brother of Anna Nelson), 1945
- Obituary of Mrs. Nels (Freda) Stoltz (sister of Anna Nelson), ca. 1957
- Clipping – “Portraits” by James J. Metcalfe
- Reminiscence of immigration to US written on back of two checks, Security-First Bank of Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, CA might be by Olaf Nelson, n.d.
(loose)Portrait of unidentified couple with son by August Pehrson, Torsby municipality, Sweden, ca. 1880s-1890s
- Portrait of unidentified woman by August Pehrson, Torsby municipality, Sweden, ca. 1880s-1890s (with worn away writing or signature)
- Post card of Norwegian members of the North Dakota Legislature, 1913
- Portrait of AL Nelson at desk in office, ca. 1913
- “Credo” by Elbert Hubbard which was framed, ca 1900-1915
- “Following the inner light…” by Elbert Hubbard, epigram which was framed or in a book,
ca. 1900-1915
- Certificate of nomination to the office of State Senator of ND in the 19th district whose name will be on the ballot, September 5, 1912
- Compilation of portraits of members of the North Dakota Senate, 13th Legislative Assembly, Holmboe Studio, Bismarck ND, 1913
- Compilation of portraits of members of the North Dakota Senate Judiciary Committee, 13th Legislative Assembly, Holmboe Studio, Bismarck ND, 1913
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