History of Winnebago County and Hancock County Iowa
Vol. II  Chicago: Pioneer Publishing Company, 1917

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Three times elected to the office of county auditor after having served for a partial term to fill out a vacancy is indisputable evidence of the ability and fidelity which Carl K. Nelson has displayed as an incumbent in that position. He was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, December 11, 1870, a son of Knut and Gertrude (Halvorsdatter) Nelson, who were natives of Norway and following their marriage came to the United States in 1868. They settled first in Dane county, Wisconsin, and in 1885 came to Winnebago county, Iowa. The father is a carpenter by trade but followed the occupation of farming in Iowa, and he and his wife are still residents of Winnebago county. They became the parents of eight children, of whom Carl K., Nels, Henry, Hans and Christian are now living. They lost two children who were named Nels and one other who died in infancy.

Carl K. Nelson was educated in the public schools of Winnebago county and at Decorah, Iowa, and in the Highland Park School at Des Moines. While in the capital city he took up the study of telegraphy, but followed it for only a year. He afterward engaged in grain buying at Scarville, Iowa, for five years and in 1906 he was a candidate for the position of county recorder, on which occasion he was defeated by only forty-three votes. After the election he was appointed deputy county treasurer and made a most excellent record in that position, in which he was retained for five years, or until October, 1911, when he was appointed county auditor to fill a vacancy for one year. On the expiration of that period he was elected for a two years' term and has been twice reelected, having no opposition at any of his three elections, for the public has long since become convinced not only of his fidelity but of his marked capability in office and feels that public office could not be in safer hands. Mr. Nelson has also served as township clerk of Logan township and as secretary of the school board in Scarville. He has always given his political allegiance to the republican party and is a firm believer in its principles.

On the 7th of July, 1997, Mr. Nelson was united in marriage to Miss Emma Rusley. Mrs. Nelson is a daughter of Ole 0. and Johanna (Christopherson) Rusley, both born in Telemarken, Norway. The father was born in 1850 and was eleven years of age when he came with his parents to the United States in 1861. The birth of the mother occurred in 1847 and in 1869 she accompanied her parents on their removal to the new world. Mr. and Mrs. Rusley were married in Winnebago county, Iowa, in 1873, and became the parents of seven children, namely: Ole, Emma, Christopher, John, Tilda, Sever and Leva. The father died in 1892, and the mother passed away in 1910. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson died in infancy, but they have an adopted daughter, Selma.

Mr. and Mrs. Nelson hold membership in the United Lutheran church and they make their home in Forest City. Mr. Nelson is also the owner of a farm which he rents, deriving therefrom a good income. They are widely and favorably known in the county, enjoying the warm regard of all with whom they come in contact, and over the record of his public career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.

ANDREW B. NESSET submitted by Gordon Felland

Andrew B. Nesset, who is engaged in general farming on section 13, Forest township, Winnebago county, has so carefully directed his business affairs that be is today one of the substantial citizens of his community. He was born in Waseca county, Minnesota, August 23, 1867, his parents being Jens and Johanna (Quam) Nesset, who were natives of Norway and came to America as boy and girl in 1835 on the same ship. Their marriage occurred in this country. For five years they lived in Wisconsin and on the expiration of - that period removed to Winneshiek county, Iowa, where Mr. Nesset carried on farming for five years. He then took his family to Minnesota and settled on a farm, on which he remained for a number of years, but at length: returned to this state and became a farmer of Winnebago county, taking up his abode on the land on which Andrew B. Nesset now resides. Upon this place his remaining days were passed, but the death of his wife occurred in Minnesota. In their family were five children, of whom four are yet living.

Andrew B. Nesset acquired his education in the public schools of his native state and after attaining his majority he purchased land and engaged in farming there. Eventually, however, he came to Winnebago county, Iowa, and bought the old Anderson homestead on section 31, Forest township, west of Forest City. This place was purchased in 1880 by Mr. Nesset's father-in-law, Steele Anderson, at which time Mrs. Nesset was but five years of age. After living on that farm for seven years Mr. Nesset sold it and bought a place on section 16 which he owned for eight years and on which be continued to reside for three years after disposing of it. He next took up his abode on the Nesset homestead on section 13, Forest township, where he now owns three hundred and thirty-nine acres, all of which is improved. He has brought his fields to a high state of cultivation and annually gathers golden harvests as a reward for the care and labor which he bestows upon his land. He also makes a specialty of feeding stock of all kinds and he likewise is one of the stockholders of the Farmers Elevator at Forest City, the Farmers Elevator at Leland and the Forest City Cooperative Creamery Company.

On October 12, 1892, Mr. Nesset was married to Miss Elizabeth Anderson, a native of Forest City and a daughter of Steele and Christina Anderson, who were born in Norway. Leaving the land of the midnight sun, they came to America in 1871 and took up their abode in Winnebago county, while at the present time they are residents of Mason City, Iowa. In their family were nine children, all of whom are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Nesset have become parents of three children Jared A., who married Hazel Harris and has one child, Violet, and who follows farming in Winnebago county, on Sunset View Farm; Stanley H., also a farmer; and Leo C. The first two are college graduates, having completed their studies at Waldorf College at Forest City. The family are most pleasantly located in an attractive home on the Oak Lawn Farm; another place which Mr. Nesset owns is known as the Sunset View Farm; and his farm of ninety-nine acres in Mount Valley township is named Hickory Grove Farm. Fraternally Mr. Nesset is connected with the Odd Fellows Lodge No. 440 at Forest City and he and his wife are identified with the Rebekah degree. They are also members of the Methodist Episcopal church, to the teachings of which they loyally adhere. In his political views Mr. Nesset is a republican and for six years lie filled the office of township trustee, while for a number of years he was a member of the school board. He is a public-spirited and patriotic citizen and one to whom the community can ever look for substantial aid in support of measures for the general good. The secret of his success is to be found in diligence and determination, combined with thorough reliability in all business transactions.