Henry Edwin Nelson (1877-1948) son of Andrew and Kjersti (Ellingson) Nelson, was born near Lanesboro, Fillmore County, Minnesota. His mother was born in the same community in 1851; his father was born 1846 in Valders, Norway and came to Minnesota with his widowed mother. Andrew Nelson served in the Civil War with Co. "A" First Battalion, Minnesota Volunteers. He and Kjersti Ellingson were married in Minnesota and came to Barnes County in 1879. Nelson Township was named for Andrew Nelson. Henry E. Nelson grew up in Nelson Township, attended rural school and Valley City Normal School. He rode a bicycle sixteen miles down and back on weekends. He was a born teacher and taught school for ten years. One of his students was a young girl, Dorothy Marsh. Dorothy Marsh (1886-1973) was born at Winona, Minnesota. She was orphaned at an early age and brought to Barnes County by her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Ellis. She attended country school and Valley City Normal School. She also received her degree from Valley City State College in 1931. Henry Nelson and Dorothy Marsh were married November 28, 1906 at the Ellis home. They enjoyed the same people and things for forty-two happy years. Mr. Nelson was employed in the County Auditors office and was deputy County Treasurer and Treasurer until he resigned to be President of the American National Bank, a position he held for thirteen years. In 1933 he and Dorothy established the Nelson Public Service Agency. Mr. Nelson was a charter member of the Kiwanis Club and served on the city council. His greatest interest was the Sunday School of the Congregational Church, where he taught a class for boys over a period of thirty years. Hundreds of boys enjoyed and profited by the inspiration and fun planned by the Nelsons. Dorothy Nelson carried on the Insurance business after her husband's death until her retirement.
She was a member of the Valley City school board and for twenty years a member of the Library Board. She held memberships in the W.C.T.U.; D.A.R.; B.P.W. and Delta Kappa Gamma. She taught a Sunday School class in the Congregational Church for many years as well as taking part in other church civilities
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 170