Daniel Nelson (b. 1812-04-13, d. 1887-12-24); Farmer; Investor; Pioneer; Oskaloosa; Mahaska County; Iowa <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Farming">Farming</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Farmer">Farmer</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Pioneer">Pioneer</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Investor">Investor</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=19th+Century">19th Century</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Midwest">Midwest</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Oskaloosa">Oskaloosa</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Mahaska+County">Mahaska County</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Iowa">Iowa</a> Daniel Nelson is one of the most remarkable people of Oskaloosa, Iowa, in Mahaska County. Born on April 13, 1812, in Butler County, Ohio, Nelson moved west to Iowa during the late 1840's to begin a new life in farming with his wife, Margaret, and four children, William, John, James, and Martha. Nelson and his family worked hard when first arriving in Iowa, as Nelson built a log cabin with his two bear hands and endured the harsh Iowa winters with little to spare. After enjoying success in farming, Nelson earned enough money to build a brick home on the opposite side of his estate. Eventually, Nelson was earning enough money to begin investing it in such commodities as coal. Nelson died on Christmas Eve, 1887, at the age of 75. Mahaska County Historical Society Historical Archives Mahaska County Historical Society 1879? 2008-08-05 John Nelson www.nelsonpioneer.org still image/jpeg image Mahaska County Historical Society http://cdm16125.contentdm.oclc.org/u?/p270701coll7,88 Daniel and Margaret Nelson Home with Family, Mahaska County, Iowa, July, 1879 <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Farming">Farming</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Farm+Houses">Farm Houses</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=19th+Century">19th Century</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Midwest">Midwest</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Mahaska+County">Mahaska County</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Iowa">Iowa</a> Much of the livelihood of Mahaska County, and for that matter, Iowa, has depended on farming, and the success each year brings. Many came to Iowa to make a fresh start and begin farming on soil that hadn't been used over and over again. This held true for Daniel and Margaret Nelson, whose home is depicted here. Prior to this beautiful brick home being built, Daniel and Margaret Nelson, along with their four children, lived in a log cabin, built by Daniel Nelson. As Nelson began enjoying success in farming in Mahaska County, he built the home pictured here, which was revered by many at the time as one of the finest homes in all of Mahaska County. Today, one can visit the Nelson home and see it as lived in during pioneer days. Situated in Oskaloosa, the Nelson Pioneer Farm offers visitors a chance to see what life on a farm during pioneer days meant to those who had endured it for several generations. Mahaska County Historical Society Historical Archives Mahaska County Historical Society 1879-07 2008-08-05 John Nelson www.nelsonpioneer.org still image/jpeg image Mahaska County Historical Society http://cdm16125.contentdm.oclc.org/u?/p270701coll7,87 Daniel and Margaret Nelson Home, Mahaska County, Iowa, late 19th Century <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Farming">Farming</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Farm+Houses">Farm Houses</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=19th+Century">19th Century</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Midwest">Midwest</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Mahaska+County">Mahaska County</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Iowa">Iowa</a> Much of the livelihood of Mahaska County, and for that matter, Iowa, has depended on farming, and the success each year brings. Many came to Iowa to make a fresh start and begin farming on soil that hadn't been used over and over again. This held true for Daniel and Margaret Nelson, whose home is depicted here. Prior to this beautiful brick home being built, Daniel and Margaret Nelson, along with their four children, lived in a log cabin, built by Daniel Nelson. As Nelson began enjoying success in farming in Mahaska County, he built the home pictured here, which was revered by many at the time as one of the finest homes in all of Mahaska County. Today, one can visit the Nelson home and see it as lived in during pioneer days. Situated in Oskaloosa, the Nelson Pioneer Farm offers visitors a chance to see what life on a farm during pioneer days meant to those who had endured it for several generations. Mahaska County Historical Society Historical Archives Mahaska County Historical Society 1895-1899 2008-08-05 www.nelsonpioneer.org still image/jpeg image Mahaska County Historical Society http://cdm16125.contentdm.oclc.org/u?/p270701coll7,86 Daniel and Margaret Nelson Home, Mahaska County, Iowa, mid 19th Century <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Farming">Farming</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Farm+Houses">Farm Houses</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=19th+Century">19th Century</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Midwest">Midwest</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Mahaska+County">Mahaska County</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Iowa">Iowa</a> Much of the livelihood of Mahaska County, and for that matter, Iowa, has depended on farming, and the success each year brings. Many came to Iowa to make a fresh start and begin farming on soil that hadn't been used over and over again. This held true for Daniel and Margaret Nelson, whose home is depicted here. Prior to this beautiful brick home being built, Daniel and Margaret Nelson, along with their four children, lived in a log cabin, built by Daniel Nelson. As Nelson began enjoying success in farming in Mahaska County, he built the home pictured here, which was revered by many at the time as one of the finest homes in all of Mahaska County. Today, one can visit the Nelson home and see it as lived in during pioneer days. Situated in Oskaloosa, the Nelson Pioneer Farm offers visitors a chance to see what life on a farm during pioneer days meant to those who had endured it for several generations. Mahaska County Historical Society Historical Archives Mahaska County Historical Society Mid-19th Century 2008-08-05 www.nelsonpioneer.org still image/jpeg image Mahaska County Historical Society http://cdm16125.contentdm.oclc.org/u?/p270701coll7,85 Daniel and Margaret Nelson Cabin, Mahaska County, Iowa, mid 19th Century <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Farming">Farming</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=19th+Century">19th Century</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Midwest">Midwest</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Mahaska+County">Mahaska County</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Iowa">Iowa</a> Much of the livelihood of Mahaska County, and for that matter, Iowa, has depended on farming, and the success each year brings. Many came to Iowa to make a fresh start and begin farming on soil that hadn't been used over and over again. This held true for Daniel and Margaret Nelson, whose cabin is pictured here dating to the mid 19th Century. Moving from Ohio, the Nelson's came to Iowa for a fresh start and enjoyed great success during the remainder of their lives in Mahaska County. Eventually, the Nelson log cabin was replaced with a beautiful brick home that still exists today and is a main attraction at the Nelson Pioneer Farm in Oskaloosa, Iowa, the county seat of Mahaska County. The cabin in this picture was replaced by the Littler cabin at the Pioneer Farm to give an explanation of what the Nelson's came from prior to building their beautiful brick home. Mahaska County Historical Society Historical Archives Mahaska County Historical Society 1850? 2008-08-04 www.nelsonpioneer.org still image/jpeg image Mahaska County Historical Society http://cdm16125.contentdm.oclc.org/u?/p270701coll7,84 Benjamin Littler Cabin, Mahaska County, Iowa, mid 19th Century <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Farming">Farming</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=19th+Century">19th Century</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Midwest">Midwest</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Mahaska+County">Mahaska County</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Iowa">Iowa</a> Much of the livelihood of Mahaska County, and for that matter, Iowa, has depended on farming, and the success each year brings. Pictured here is a small cabin built by and lived in by Benjamin Littler of Mahaska County, Iowa. Most farmers did not have a lot of money, especially during the 19th Century. The work was hard, and the entire family had to act as a cohesive unit in order to have success in the fields. Living was simple, as depicted by the photograph here. Today, the Ben Littler cabin has been moved from its original location to the Nelson Pioneer Farm in Oskaloosa, Iowa Mahaska County Historical Society Historical Archives Mahaska County Historical Society 1850? 2008-08-04 www.nelsonpioneer.org still image/jpeg image Mahaska County Historical Society http://cdm16125.contentdm.oclc.org/u?/p270701coll7,83 Summer day on a farm in 1938, Mahaska County, Iowa <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Farming">Farming</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=20th+Century">20th Century</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Midwest">Midwest</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Mahaska+County">Mahaska County</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Iowa">Iowa</a> Much of the livlihood of Mahaska County, and for that matter, Iowa, has depended on farming, and the success each year brings. Pictured here is a scene on a hot day in July, 1938, on a farm south of Bussey in Mahaska County, Iowa. Mahaska County Historical Society Historical Archives Mahaska County Historical Society 1938 2008-08-04 www.nelsonpioneer.org still image/jpeg image Mahaska County Historical Society http://cdm16125.contentdm.oclc.org/u?/p270701coll7,82 Threshing on the T.B. Emmert Farm, 1898, Cedar, Iowa; Mahaska County <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Farming">Farming</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=19th+Century">19th Century</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=T.B.+Emmert">T.B. Emmert</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Midwest">Midwest</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Cedar">Cedar</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Mahaska+County">Mahaska County</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Iowa">Iowa</a> Much of the livelihood of Mahaska County, and for that matter, Iowa, has depended on farming, and the success each year brings. Pictured here is a scene on T.B. Emmert's farm in the small community of Cedar, Iowa, in 1898. The process that is taking place in this picture is called threshing, where a machine or tool is used to separate the seed or grain from the crop; in this case, wheat. Mahaska County Historical Society Historical Archives Mahaska County Historical Society 1898 2008-08-04 Mrs. Ed Gilchrist www.nelsonpioneer.org still image/jpeg image Mahaska County Historical Society http://cdm16125.contentdm.oclc.org/u?/p270701coll7,81 Tom Schultz's Farm, 1930's; Mahaska County, Iowa <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Farming">Farming</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Depression">Depression</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=20th+Century">20th Century</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Tom+Schultz">Tom Schultz</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Midwest">Midwest</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Mahaska+County">Mahaska County</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Iowa">Iowa</a> Much of the livlihood of Mahaska County, and for that matter, Iowa, has depended on farming, and the success each year brings. Pictured here is a scene on Tom Schultz's farm during the Great Depression in the 1930's. By no means was farming a one-man operation, as the entire family or community in some cases would get involved during harvest time. Mahaska County Historical Society Historical Archives Mahaska County Historical Society 1930's 2008-08-04 www.nelsonpioneer.org still image/jpeg image Mahaska County Historical Society http://cdm16125.contentdm.oclc.org/u?/p270701coll7,80 Threshing at the Graham farm, Davis City, Iowa, 1910s <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Farming">Farming</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Threshing">Threshing</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Threshing+machines">Threshing machines</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Men">Men</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Women">Women</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Children">Children</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Wernitch%2C+Margaret">Wernitch, Margaret</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=United+States+--+Iowa+--+Davis+City">United States -- Iowa -- Davis City</a> <a href="/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=1910-1920">1910-1920</a> Threshing crew and families posing with steam thresher in a field. Greeting on verso from Georgia to Margaret Wernitch. unknown University of Iowa. Libraries. Iowa Women's Archives 1910/1919 2006-10-06 No known copyright restrictions. Noble Photographs Noble Photograph collection http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/collguides/?IWA0031 9 14 Still image; Text Photographic postcards; Correspondence jpeg IWA0031 160192410 http://digital.lib.uiowa.edu/cdm/ref/collection/noble/id/71