Lang, H. O., ed. "The History of the Willamette Valley, Being A Description of the Valley and its Resources, with an account of its Discovery and Settlement by White Men, and its Subsequent History; Together with Personal Reminiscences of its Early Pioneers." Portland, OR, Geo. H. Himes, Book and Job Printer, 1885. p. 627. J. C. NELSON Born in Jackson County, Missouri, in 1827. Came to Oregon in 1844, going direct to Yamhill County, and remaining there ever since. He secured a donation claim of five hundred acres, it being yet in his possession. Mr. Nelson was a volunteer in the Cayuse war; and was afterwards elected to the first State Legislature. In 1882 he was again a member of the Legislature, and was re-elected in 1884. Was prominent in Lafayette as a merchant, in partnership with Mr. Bird, and married Miss Mary E. Bird in 1850, by whom two children were born to him -- Nancy Jane (Mrs. Belcher) and William W. Mrs. Nelson died in 1856, and in 1860 Mr. Nelson married Sarah Cummings, who has brought him five children, named Cora A. (deceased), Cornelia M. (Mrs. Fletcher), Mary Estella, Maggie L., and Walter H. ******************* Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in May 2005 by Diana Smith. Submitter has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.