My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography included in The History of Spencer County, Indiana published by Goodspeed, Bros. & Co. in 1885.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

* * * *

CHARLES T. NELSON was born in Licking County, Ohio, April 24, 1827, and was one of a family of three sons and seven daughters, born to James and Hannah (Rose) Nelson, natives of Kentucky and Maryland, respectively. The former followed farming, merchandising and pork dealing, in Ohio, until 1848, when, having met with reverses on account of the financial depression of that year, he moved to DeKalb County, Ind. There he purchased a farm of 600 acres, which he managed until he retired from business. He then gave a farm to each of his daughters, but gave nothing to his sons. He died in 1881, at the age of eighty-five years. His widow died two years later, at the age of ninety years. Charles T. Nelson received but little education in his youth. At the age of fourteen he entered a store as a clerk, and continued at that work until attaining his majority. In the meantime he studied during leisure hours, and prepared himself for teaching, which he followed for a short time. He also ran a peddler’s wagon for a time. In 1851 he came to Spencer County, and located at Enterprise, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits for two years. From 1854 until 1867 he followed the same business at Grandview, since which time he has been engaged in general trading. He has been very successful, and has by industry, economy and integrity accumulated a competency. November 11, 1855, he married Adaline Greathouse, a native of Spencer County. They have had four children, James G., Mary A. (deceased), who was the wife of Capt. John James, Charles L. (deceased) and Joe Hooker. Politically Mr. Nelson is a Democrat. During the war he was a stanch Union man, and was made captain of the Home Guards. He was also Provost Marshal.

* * * *

This family biography is one of 344 biographies included in The History of Spencer County, Indiana portion of the book: History of Warrick, Spencer and Perry Counties Indiana published in 1885 by Goodspeed, Bros. & Co.  For the complete description, click here: Spencer County, Indiana History and Genealogy

View additional Spencer County, Indiana family biographies here: Spencer County, Indiana Biographies

Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.