~ Medical: diabetes (see letter below)
~ Occupation: Farmer

OBITUARY: Olpe Optimist, Jul 25, 1924, Fri. p.1
   "W. B. NELSON DEAD.   W.B. Nelson died this [Friday] morning at one o'clock. He had been poorly for a long time. The funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at the Olpe Methodist Church. Burial will be made in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery a mile west of town."

Ltr from Ruth Dunn Barb (W. B. Nelson was her grandfather) dtd 27 Feb 1979, p. 7.
   "Grandpa Nelson had to have a leg removed caused by infection between his toes - think he was probably diabetic only they didn't know that then. Of course, he couldn't do any more farming. He walked with crutches and they lived with my folks [Wm Dunn/Annie Laurie Nelson] until he died, then Grandma stayed on with us. The farm was sold, in fact, I think it was mortgaged and they probably lost it. A few years ago we drove by there and there isn't even a tree to mark the place now..."
 

Drucilla Estella (Mix) Nelson
dau. of Ira & Teresa Ann (Brown) Mix
The Olpe Optic, Thu, Oct 12, 1899
  "Mrs. W. B. Nelson is on the sick list."
The Olpe Optimist, Thu, Mar 14, 1907 -- Twin Mound Gleanings
  "Mesdames Nelson, Pinson and Covalt, and the latter's daughter called on Mrs. Yager, who is sick, this week."

OBITUARY: Emporia Gazette (D), dtd 13 Dec 1935, p. 2, c. 7.
  "Mrs. W. B. Nelson Dead. Mrs. Ward B. Nelson died Thursday afternoon at 2:10 o'clock at the home of her daughter, Mrs. William [Laurie] Dunn, in Madison. She had been sick only a short time.
  Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Methodist church in Olpe. Mrs. Nelson is the widow of the late Ward B. Nelson, a pioneer settler in Lyon County, and for many years lived on their farm, a mile east of Olpe, and since Mr. Nelson's death, she has made her home with her children.
  Mrs. Nelson is survived by a daughter, Mrs. William [Laurie] Dunn, Madison, and two sons, Ross L. Nelson, Spearville, and Harry Nelson, Canton." 

Annie Laurie (Nelson) Dunn
dau. of Ward & Drucilla (Mix) Nelson
The Emporia Gazette, dtd 28 Feb 1917
  "Mrs. Wm Dunn visited her parents, Mr. & Mrs. W. B. Nelson, the latter part of the week."

OBITUARY: The Madison News, dtd 15 Aug 1968
   "Mrs. William E. Dunn, a lifetime resident of the Madison-Olpe area, died Wednesday afternoon, August 7, in her home.
   She was the former Annie Laurie Nelson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ward B. Nelson, was born October 18, 1885, near Olpe. She was married on September 29, 1905, in Emporia. She was preceded in death by her husband, who died August 3, 1967.
   She is survived by one son, Chester L. Dunn, Neosho Rapids; five daughters, Mrs. Glenn (Ruth) Barb of Bonner Springs, Mrs. Howard (Helen) Cress of Daingerfield, Texas, Mrs. Warren (Lucille) Greenwood of Olpe, Ms. James (Lois) King of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Mrs. Margie Beeman of Madison; 10 grandchildren, and nine great grandchildren.
   Funeral services were held at the Sexton-Perrill chapel Saturday afternoon and were conducted by Rev. Gene Riley, pastor of the United Methodist Church. The organist was Mrs. Morris Greenwood. Pallbearers were Ross Clopton, Charles Stubbs, Ernest Tyson, Melvin Derbyshire, John Douglass and Harold Roberts. Burial was in Blakely cemetery."

Isla Myree (Roberts) Nelson
Isla is pronounced as I-la, with the "s" silent, as in island.

The Olpe Optimist, Thu, Dec 10, 1906
   "Miss Isla Roberts, age seven years, has been promoted to the 5th grade. This is a brilliant example to other children. We doubt if the case has many equals in the Sunflower state."

The Olpe Optimist, Thu, May 16, 1907
   "Birthday Party. A crowd of juveniles had a joysome time at the Bassett home last Friday afternoon. It was a party in honor of the 11th birthday of Master Roy Bassett. A nice lunch was served and many nice presents given. The crowd had its "picture tooken" [sic] by the Optimist shadow shooter. Those present were: Misses Sarah Ann Bivin, Veda Hale, Isla Roberts, Fannie Dunkin, Tina Rossillon, Fern, Mary and Alma Stevenson; Masters Chester Roberts, Fritz Huth, George Rossillon and Johnnie Albertson."

Harry Charles Nelson
The Olpe Optimist, Thu, Nov 29, 1906 -- Supplement
   "Messrs L.L. Clarke, Harry Nelson, Harry Edwards, John & Jim Bickley. Clara Bassett, Nellie Stevenson, Dollie and Nellie Williams attended the box supper at Section last Friday night."

Harry & Isla Nelson
The Olpe Optimist, Feb 21, 1917 p.1 c.3, Wed.
   "Miss Isla Roberts and Mr. Harry Nelson were married in Emporia, Thursday. We extend congratulations."

The Olpe Optimist, Mar. 9, 1926, Tues.
   "A son was born Tuesday to Mr. and Mrs. Harry Nelson." (This is my father, Jack Roberts Nelson's birth announcement.)

The Olpe Optimist, Mar. 8, 1926, Fri.
   "Harry Nelson and wife of Altoona are the parents of a baby girl born March 6. George Roberts will go Saturday evening to Altoona to see his new granddaughter."

The Olpe Optimist, Thu, Nov 29, 1906 -- Supplement
   "Messrs L.L. Clarke, Harry Nelson, Harry Edwards, John & Jim Bickley. Clara Bassett, Nellie Stevenson, Dollie and Nellie Williams attended the box supper at Section last Friday night."

   Harry Nelson owned and ran a pool hall in Altoona, KS in 1928/1929. Lived in Canton, KS by 1932 (per his mother's obituary Dec 1935). During the 1940's the Nelson's lived in Canton, near McPherson, KS. Here, Harry owned a roadside motel "The 4 C's [Cozy, Comfortable, Clean, Cottages]". In 1945 they moved their little family to Newton.

   "May 30, 1964 - Harry, Isla, his wife, and Mary Lou, Isla's sister, were driving back from visiting their daughter, Maxine's, grave in Altoona when Harry's wheel went on the soft shoulder of the road and he lost control and was hit by an oncoming truck, and went down the left side road embankment. The driver of the truck survived. It had been raining."

OBITUARY: HARRY & ISLA NELSON, The Newton Kansan paper, dtd 1 Jun 1964.
   "Rites set for Couple. Double funeral rites were arranged today for a Newton couple killed Memorial Day in a car-truck collision four miles east of Eureka.
   Services for Harry C. Nelson, 74, and his wife, Isla M., 64, of 212 SW 7th will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Draper's Funeral Home. The Rev. Jack Harris, pastor of the East Side Methodist Church, will officiate and burial will be in Altoona.
   The bodies will lie in state at the funeral home prior to the services.
   Also killed in the same crash was Mrs. Mary Louise Halstead, 54, sister of Mrs. Nelson and postmistress at Olpe.
   The three had been to Altoona [to visit their daughter, Maxine's grave] and Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were returning Mrs. Halstead to Olpe when the tragedy occurred on rain-slick Highway 54 Saturday afternoon. Services for Mrs. Halstead will be held Tuesday at Olpe.
   Mrs. Nelson was born April 16, 1900 at Olpe, the daughter of George A. and Elizabeth Roberts and Mr. Nelson, also a native of Olpe, was born Oct. 15, 1889 [1890]. He was a retired hotel operator.
   They were married Feb. 22, 1917 in Olpe and had lived in the Newton area for 19 years.
   Mr. Nelson was a member of the Eagles and Mrs. Nelson was a member of the L.O.E. and VFW Auxiliary.
   Surviving are two sons, Harold [H.J.] of El Dorado and Jack of Topeka, one daughter, Mrs. Ramon [Jo An] Kliewer of San Carlos Calif., and nine grandchildren. Mr. Nelson also is survived by a brother, Ross of Scott City, an a sister, Mrs. Annie Dunn of Madison." 
 

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF HARRY C. NELSON
     I, the undersigned, Harry C. Nelson, of the City of Newton, Harvey County, Kansas, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do hereby make and publish this my Last Will and Testament, hereby revoking any and all former Wills, or writings of testamentary character, heretofore made by me.
     1. I direct that my executor, hereinafter name, pay all of my just debts, including my funeral expenses and the expenses of my last illness, as soon as practicable after my death and without order of the Probate Court admitting this Will to probate.
     2. I give, devise and bequeath unto each of my four children, namely:
Geraldine Bishop, Palo Alto,. California;
Harold J. Nelson, Newton, Kansas; (presently in the military service)
Jack R. Nelson, Wichita, Kansas;
Joan Kliewer, San Mateo, California
the sum of Five Hundred and no/100 Dollars ($500.00), and direct that my executor, hereinafter named, pay said bequests to each of my said children as soon as practicable after my death.
     3. All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate, and all of my property, real, personal and mixed, and wherever situated, I give, devise and bequeath unto my wife, Isla M. Nelson.
     4. I appoint my son, Jack R. Nelson, executor of this my Last Will and Testament, and direct that he be not required to give bond for execution of the same and request that the Court admitting this Will to probate grant letters testamentary without bond.
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand this 1st day of June, 1955
     Signed H. C. Nelson & Harry C. Nelson (apparently he first signed with just his initials)
     Testator
     The foregoing signed by the said Testator, as and for his Last Will and Testament, in our presence; and we, at this request, and in his sight and presence, and in the presence of each other, have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses, at McPherson, Kansas, this 1st day of June, 1955.
     Signed: Russ B. Anderson and Virginia H. Mitchell
     Witnesses
     Filed: Jun. 3, 1964

IN THE PROBATE COURT OF HARVEY COUNTY, KANSAS
In the Matter of the Estates of Harry C. Nelson and Isla M. Nelson, both deceased.    No. 6962
PETITION FOR APPOINTMENT OF ADMINISTRATOR
     The petitioners, Jack R. Nelson, residing at 817 Lincoln, Topeka, Kansas; Harold J. Nelson, residing at 2100 West Central, El Dorado, Kansas; and Joan Kliewer, residing at 228 Highland Avenue, San Carlos, California, allege that they are the sons and daughter, respectively, and heirs at law of the decedents named herein; that Isla M. Nelson died intestate on May 30, 1964, in Greenwood County, near Eureka, Kansas, being a resident of Harvey County, Kansas, and a citizen of the United States, leaving as her sole heirs her husband, Harry C. Nelson, the petitioners herein, and Bradford Charles Bishop, her grandson, who resides c/o Richard Welter, 20555 Dumont, Woodland Hills, California. That Harry C. Nelson died testate in Greenwood County, Kansas, on May 30, 1964, shortly after the death of his wife, as a result of a common automobile accident, he being a resident of Harvey County, Kansas, and a citizen of the United States, and leaving the petitioners herein and said grandson as all of this heirs, devisees, and legatees; that said decedents had no children or adopted children or issue of deceased children, natural or adopted, who survived them, other than said petitioners and said grandson, Bradford Charles Bishop, is 14 years of age. That both of said decedents owned undivided interests in certain real estate.
     Petitioners file herewith an instrument in writing, dated June 1, 1955, and allege that the same is the Last Will and Testament of Harry C. Nelson, deceased, and that said will was duly executed according to law on the date it bears and is genuine and valid. That at the time of the execution of said will the testator was of legal age and of sound mind and not under any restraint and that said will was in full force and effect at the time of the death of the testator.
     That the general character and probable value of decedents' estate are real estate and personal property in excess of $25,000. That Jack R. Nelson was named executor in said will, but relinquishes his trust in favor of Harold J. Nelson, who is a fit and suitable person to serve as administrator with will annexed of said estate, and petitioners pray that Harold J. Nelson be so appointed, to conserve, collect, and administer said estate according to law.
     WHEREFORE, Petitioners pray that the will of Harry C. Nelson, dated June 1, 1955, be admitted to probate, and that letters testamentary be issued to Harold J. Nelson as administrator with will annexed of the Harry C. Nelson estate and as administrator of the Isla M. Nelson estate.
Signed: Jack R. Nelson, Harold J. Nelson, Joan Kliewer
STATE OF KANSAS, COUNTY OF HARVEY, SS.:
     Jack R. Nelson, Harold J. Nelson, and Joan Kliewer, all of lawful age, being first duly sworn, on their respective oaths state:
     That they are the petitioners above named; that they have read the foregoing petition and know the contents there of, and that the statements and things contained therein are true.
signed: Jack R. Nelson, Harold J. Nelson, Joan Kliewer
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 1st day of June, 1964
My comm. Exp. Feb. 11, 1965 Mildred Th___ Notary Public
Filed Jun. 3, 1964, Filed Jul 26, 1966.
 

Jack Roberts Nelson
Birth Announcement: Olpe Optimist Tuesday, March 9, 1929
    "A son was born Tuesday to Mr. and Mrs. Harry Nelson."

~ Namesake: mother's maiden name, Isla Myree Roberts.
~ Occupation: Architect, Chief Architect Planning Section, Division of Architectural Services, State of Kansas. He had worked and lived in Wichita (probably a draftsman), Topeka, Salina, then, again, Topeka.
~ Medical: Lung Cancer diagnosed 1981, partial lung removal. Lung Cancer rediagnosed Oct 1985, remission through radiation therapy ending in Dec 1985 (7 weeks of therapy).
~ Sports: When in his twenties played local league baseball, favorite position was shortstop. I remember my dad in a baseball uniform.

     Dad was born in Olpe, Kansas. For much of his youth he grew up there, but his dad moved them to Altoona, Canton, McPherson, and finally, Newton, KS. He had joined the Navy during WWII before completing HS. When his ship was blown up there were only 4 survivors. Dad was discharged. He came back to Newton and finished HS, and it was during this time he met my mom. They were both seniors at Newton High.
     Dad was extremely popular in HS, a sailor who already had been in the war, not only because he was a sailor boy, but he was handsome. My mother was beautiful, also. Needless to say, they married the summer of graduation in Newton.
     I don't know where they lived in the very beginning, but I do know they ventured to San Mateo, CA where Dad studied drafting. I think the lure of having been in the Navy and stationed from the west coast brought Dad to CA. Anyway, Terry was born in 1949 in San Mateo. Soon thereafter, the small family made its way back to Kansas and settled in Wichita.
     Mother at this stage of her life was excellent. She took care of the house, her child, sewed - did all the domestic things well. When speaking with her about the long ago past, Mom says Dad was intolerant of her working outside of the home and she began to feel restricted.
     A short time later, Dian was born (me). I am sure I brought great joy in their lives. My birth completed their family nucleus.
     Dad spoke to me about a place we lived then - it was a basement apartment and the bathroom was right off the living room area, and he said everything could be heard in there from the living room.
Dad went to school and studied architecture, and became a draftsman. He continued this career path, until the time of his death where his job title was State Architect of Kansas -- he was 2nd in charge. I'm very proud of his success, it speaks highly of his natural talent in architecture to have to have done so well without formal education.
     We lived in Wichita, KS on Lincoln Street and 626 Emerson/Quail Lane.
     We had a male black dachshund mix named Fritzi.
     We had a female red dachshund named Shotzi.
I love you daddy for all eternity, and I know you love me!

US NAVAL SERVICE: USN #342 860 0 - Enlisted Jan 12,1944 - Medically discharged May 1945. Served aboard LCI 1065 -- kamikazied at the Leyte Gulf battle in the Philippines. Jack was starboard helping load guns when a Japanese plane shot at the ship, the plane made two passes before it kamikazed the boat. The gunner Jack was helping was killed, a lot of men were not on deck and drowned when she went under. Only 4 survivors.

OBITUARY: Topeka Capital Journal, dtd 19 Sep 1988
"Jack Roberts Nelson. (my daddy)
   Services will be at 1pm Wednesday at Brennan Funeral Home for Jack Roberts Nelson, 62, Topeka. He died Saturday, Sept. 17, 1988, at a Topeka hospital. (Actually, he died at home, and was pronounced at St. Francis Hosp.)
   Mr. Nelson was an architect with the State of Kansas 23 years until ill health force his retirement Aug. 23, 1988. He served in the Navy during World War II..
   He was born March 9, 1926, at Olpe [KS], the son of Harry Charles and Isla Myree Roberts Nelson. He lived in Wichita before he moved to Topeka 35 years ago [between 1966-1969 lived in Salina KS].
   Mr. Nelson attended St. Paul's Lutheran Church. He was a member of the National Association of Architects and was a lifetime member of the Kansas Historical Society.
   He was married to Betty Kincaid Goodson Dec. 17, 1965, in Topeka. She survives. [My dad was first married 31 Aug 1947 to Roberta Violet Girndt in Newton KS. They had two wonderful daughters, Terry Lynn Nelson & Dian Nelson Wright, who survive.]
   Other survivors include a son, Steven Goodson, Topeka; four daughters, Patty Goodson Niwa, Terry Nelson and Carol Goodson, all of Topeka, and Dian Nelson Wright of Stafford, VA.; a brother, Harold Nelson, Gadsden, Ala.; a sister, Jo Ann [Joan] Kliewer, San Carlos, Calif; eight grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
   Philip Billard Post No. 1650 of Veterans of Foreign Wars will conduct graveside services in Mount Hope Cemetery. Mr. Nelson will lie in state after 2pm. Tuesday at the funeral home where relatives and friends will meet from 7 to 8pm Tuesday. Memorial contributions may be made to Topeka Hospice (address given)."
 

Margaret "Max" Maxine Nelson
Birth certificate nor death certificate lists Margaret as her first name, but it is written on her headstone, and my grandmother, Max's mother, confirmed it.

OBITUARY: The Altoona Tribune, Thurs., dtd 20 Dec 1928
"Death of a Child
   "Margaret Maxine Nelson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Nelson, died last Sunday, December 16, at the home of her parents in Altoona. Her age was eight years, four months and two days and she was born in Olpe, Kansas.
   She had been sick for several days, heart disease being the cause of her death.
   Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the M. E. Church, conducted by Rev. V. A. Nickel, interment being in the Altoona Cemetery.
   She leaves to mourn her death, father and mother, sister, two brothers, Grandma Nelson and Grandfather Roberts, of Olpe, an uncle, R. L. Nelson, of Spearville, and cousins, Mrs. Ruth Barb, of Leavenworth and Chester and Helen Dunn, of Olpe, Kansas.
   Margaret was a bright girl and lovable child and her death came as a severe shock to relatives and friends. The sorrowing relatives have the heartfelt sympathy of their many friends here."