364 HISTOKY OF GOODHUE COUNTY employ of a sash and door factory in Water Valley, Miss. In 1868 he formed the firm of Newbero & Nelson, contractors and builders. A year later he bought his partner's interest and car- ried on the business himself for about a year, after which he purchased a half-interest in a hardware store at Oxford, Miss., the firm name being Peter Nelson & Co. , In 1873 he sold out and came to Red Wing, where he started a store in company with Jonas Peterson, on Bush street, handling all kinds of hardware and also harvesting machines and farm implements. In 1888, Mr. Nelson bought out Mr. Peterson's interest and in 1895 added a plumbing department. He continued this business until 1905, when he sold to D. B. Johns and retired from active business. Mr. Nelson became interested in politics in early life, and has always been a stanch Democrat. He was a member of the ^tate committee from 1883 to 1889 and served in the senate from 1887 to 1889. In 1890 he was defeated for that .office by but thirty-five votes, and in 1892 was defeated for secretary of state by 8,250 votes. He has also occupied other prominent public offices. He was interested in the Minnesota Scandinavian Relief Association in its earliest days, and in 1886 was elected vice president. Since 1892 he has been its president. He also belongs to the Elks and the Commercial Club, and is financially interested in many of Red Wing's leading industries. Mr. Nelson was married in Oc- tober, 1870, to Oliva Olson, daughter of Mr. Olson, a hotelkeeper in Awika, Sweden. To this union has been born one son, Peter A. Senator Nelson has a pleasant residence at 1004 Fourth street.
