WILLIAM NELSON. There is probably no citizen of Washington county who is better or more favorably known than the gentleman above named. He is universally esteemed by those who have the pleasure of his acquaintance, and no better evidence of his worth can be given to the public than in a record of his personal history. His father, Peter Nelson, was a native of Yorkshire, England, and is yet remembered by his old neighbors as a man of sterling merit. Peter Nelson followed the stone mason's trade in connection with farming, and about the year 1812 visited America, intending to find a home in the United States. The unsettled condition of the country discouraged him from emigrating at that time, and he finally returned to England, where he died leaving six children, viz.: John, Peter, Mathew, William, Mary and Betsey. Of this family Mathew and Peter are living in England, John, Mary and Betsey are deceased. William Nelson, son of Peter, was born March 1,1810, on a place twenty miles from Leeds, in Yorkshire, England. His youth was passed in assisting with the farm work, for like many other healthy, active boys, he cherished a decided antipathy for books, and found ample but useful exercise on the farm for his superabundant vitality. He also learned the weaving trade, but devoted most of his boyhood to overseeing a large flock of sheep, his home having been near the Scotch moors, where sheep raising was the principal industry. When he grew older young Nelson was employed at cutting stone, and while in that business cut some of the stone ties used in constructing the first railroad in England. The stone was hauled to Ripton, sixteen miles distant, and conveyed by canal to Newcastle. Some years prior to 1849 William Nelson married Grace, daughter of John Renard both of whom were natives of England. In l849 the young couple embarked on an American-bound vessel, and sailed for the New World. He had then by closest economy managed to save about $500 from a salary of 50 cents per day, and upon arriving in Allegheny county, Penn., he rented a farm near Webster, Westmoreland county. He soon afterward moved to Elizabeth, same State, and invested his savings in a coal enterprise, which failed after a short season of prosperity. This disaster left our young hero penniless and a family dependent upon him for support, but with the invincible spirit of a true Englishman he proceeded to begin life anew. He moved to a small log cabin in the woods near McKeesport, which was known as the "wooden-windowed house," glass having been an unattainable luxury, then secured employment with a threshing machine, and traveled through the country, receiving for his services $1 per day and board. Soon afterward, through the assistance of friends who had discovered his ability and worth, he was enabled to rent 450 acres of land known as the "White Oak Level." He farmed this place very successfully for about four years, then moved to a place near Elizabeth township, and one year later bought a small farm of one Gibson, on "long-time payments." He soon sold this place at a good profit to the former owner, and rented a large farm, whose proprietor required the tenant to give first-class references. This condition was easily complied with, as every one was glad to give a helping hand to the enterprising young man, and recommendations were given him by the most prominent citizens of McKeesport. The contract for this place was made in such liberal terms that Mr. Nelson saved quite a sum of money, $1,000 of which he invested in a coal bank, and again lost the entire amount, but was not as destitute as before, having accumulated other property one mile south. In 1861 he removed to a farm in McLean county, Ill., taking with him one car load of sheep and one of horses, and after arriving in Illinois he bought three car loads of hogs, but after a time he lost about 300 head by cholera. He remained there three years, then becoming discontented made a sale, returned to Pennsylvania, and resided in Westmoreland county about six months. At the end of that time he purchased his present farm on the Monongahela river, just within the limits of Monongahela. For this place he paid $11,000, giving $1,000 cash, and the remainder in annual payments, which he succeeded in clearing after years of economy and constant toil. To-day his property is valued at about $20,000, and he conducts a stone quarry in addition to general farming. In political opinion Mr. Nelson is one of the strongest supporters of the Republican party, and takes the deepest interest in all matters tending to improve his adopted country, which he loves with all the ardor of a native-born citizen. He and his wife were members of the Church of England. They have had eight children, namely: Matthew (deceased), Mary Ann, William, John (all of whom were born in England), Thomas (deceased), Ellen, George and Maggie (who were born in America).

Text taken from page 1433 of: Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893). Transcribed January 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project. Published January 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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