Born on June 2, 1899, Clarence Nelson is the oldest living resident of Litchville, having moved there at the age of one. His first home was the railroad section house, where his mother cooked for the section crew, headed by Frank Bitzenhofer. Frank married Clarence's Aunt Hannah.

Clarence started school in 1905 in the first school in Litchville. In 1907 Mr. Nelson passed away at the age of forty-one and Clarence was left without a father.

At the age of thirteen, Clarence went to work for the Olson and Co. Store and soon became a sales clerk. From 1917 to 1919, he worked in an ammunition factory in Baltimore, Maryland, returning to his former job with the Olson Company.

August 11, 1928, he married Jeanette Jessie Peterson. On September 8, 1934, Bonita Lois was born, and by 1936 the Nelson's were managing the Olson Store. Maxine Arlyse was born on October 22, 1936. The next year the Nelsons purchased the store but in 1938 they quit business due to the intense competition in Litchville. Clarence then went into heavy construction work, traveling all over the United States working mostly on Government projects, including the new missile sites. In 1966, Clarence retired at the age of 67.

On July 25, 1971, Mrs. Jeanette Jessie (Peterson) Nelson passed away after 43 years of marriage.

In 1971, after making his own buggy, Clarence went on the Fort Seward Trail ride and enjoyed it so much he also did so in 1973 and 1974. In 1975 he was the Grand Marshall of the 75th Diamond Jubilee of Litchville.

Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 169