Both the Nelsons were born in Denmark and were married before coming to America. James Peter Nelson was born in 1862, Anna Johanna Jepson in 1856 and they were married in 1880. The family settled in Wisconsin, before coming to North Dakota to homestead in 1886. They bought Section 34 in Bucephalia Township where they were engaged in farming. Mr. Nelson was elected sheriff of Foster County in 1904 and served until 1912. He operated a livery stable in Carrington until they moved back to the farm.
James and Anna were the parents of ten children: Martin, Henry, Mary, Alvina, Willie, Andrew, Edward, Alice, Jane and Hubert. In 1916 the Nelsons moved to California with their son, Hubert.
Mr. Nelson died in October 1919. Mrs. Nelson died in 1936. They are buried in the Kensal Cemetery.
Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 14B