California Biographies Mendocino and Lake Counties, California Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm Source: History of Mendocino and Lake Counties, California With Biographical Sketches History by Aurelius O. Carpenter And Percy H. Millberry Illustrated, Complete In One Volume Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1914 J. A. NELSON. � Steadfast devotion to the welfare of Mendocino county and unwavering faith in the future progress of Fort Bragg were the prin- cipal factors entering into the identification of Mr. Nelson with the real- estate business, which he now follows as the head of the J. A. Nelson Realty Company, as a partner of C. V. Starr, a native son of this county. That this portion of the state faces a future of growing prosperity and continued devel- opment is his conviction, based upon a careful study of conditions, environ- ment and location. With this firm belief in his chosen location, it follows inevitably that he is well adapted to the real-estate business, and we find him at present handling the Gamble tract and the Sherwood villa tract in the east- ern part of Fort Bragg, also Little Valley sub-division, a tract of fifty-five hundred acres, which is divided into suitable farms for homeseekers. The son of John A. Nelson, a native of Maine, who crossed the plains during the memorable decade of the '50s, J. A. Nelson was born in Sacra- mento, Cal., June 22, 1864, and for a time in boyhood attended the San Fran- cisco schools, the family having removed thither from the capital city. Later residence was established in Santa Clara and thence he went to Gilroy, where he first became connected with the railroad service. From a very humble position he gradually advanced until he was promoted to be a locomotive engineer on the Southern Pacific Railroad between San Francisco and Castro- ville. A later run had its terminus at Paso Robles. It was only by energy, intelligence and perseverance that he had been enabled to rise to a post of responsibility to the company. Efficiency was his motto and faithfulness his leading attribute. For a time he was employed by the Oregon Railway & Navigation Company, and his railroad service also took him into Washington and Idaho, so that he has a thorough knowledge of the great west. Eventually tiring of the hardships of railroad life, he resigned from the service and in 1892 came to Mendocino county. For a number of years Mr. Nelson was employed in the filing of saws in a lumber mill at Greenwood. Next he secured a position in the Caspar sawmill, where he rose to be manager of the plant, filling the position for eleven years to the satisfaction of all concerned. April 18, 1906, he became a citizen of Fort Bragg, where for four years he engaged as a hardware merchant and since has carried on a real-estate business. He is well posted concerning values of property, not only in Fort Bragg, but also throughout the entire county, and his judgment is helpful to men considering investments in land. With characteristic quickness of decision he formulates opinions concerning any property put on the market and subsequent developments seldom cause any change in his sentiments, but usually confirm his original judgment. His family consists of a son, Rea, and Mrs. Nelson, formerly Miss Kate Dough- erty, of Greenwood, a native of Mendocino county and the daughter of a pioneer. Numerous fraternal organizations have received the benefit of his co-operation and intelligent allegiance. Besides being prominent in the Wood- men of the World, he is past president and past inspector in Alder Glen Parlor No. 200, N. S. G. W., at Fort Bragg. Particularly has he been interested in Masonry. He was made a Mason in Mendocino Lodge No. 179, F. & A. M.. which had his capable assistance, and he became master of that lodge, be- sides being past high priest of Mendocino Chapter No. 88, R. A. M., which he and C. J. Wood organized. He is also a well-known member of Ukiah Commandery No. 33, K. T. That small ranchers might obtain a ready market and higher prices for vegetables and berries and thus make their places produce a profitable income, Mr. Nelson saw the need of a local cannery and with this end in view he began talking about the project. The result was the farmers became interested, agreed to raise vegetables and berries, and a new cannery is now being built. Another important enterprise he is greatly interested in is the building of a large modern hotel for Fort Bragg, and plans are now being formulated for the erection of a splendid structure in the business center of Fort Bragg for that purpose. When the movement was first broached concerning an exhibition of Mendocino county products at the Portola and Land shows in San Francisco in 1913 he became a pro- moter of the worthy cause and has since given considerable attention, thought and time to the work, both as chairman of the publicity committee and as a co-worker in all departments contributing to its success.