Parsons, Col. William and Shiach, W. S.  "An Illustrated History of Umatilla
County and of Morrow County." Spokane, WA: W. H. Lever, 1902. p. 395.
 
JAMES NELSON

     A man who has achieved a most brilliant success in his chosen occupation,
who has demonstrated his executive ability and talent in financiering to be of
the highest order, while his industry and thrift being no less manifest are
quite commensurate with his moral integrity, frankness and up-rightness, the
subject of this sketch deserves a high rank among the stockmen of the west, and
a worthy representation in these continuing chronicles of our county.
    He was born in Yreka, California, in 1860, whence six years later he came to
Grant county, and then in 1869 to Umatilla county, Oregon. Here his fathertook
up a place on Butter creek, where our subject still resides. An account of the
former's murder in the Indian massacre of 1878 is given in another place in this
volume.  Mr. Nelson has continuously followed the business of cattle raising and
is considered one of the most progressive and enterprising men of this section.
For some time he also raised horses and sheep, but he is now dealing in cattle
exclusively and has been since 1888.
     In 1881 he was married to Miss Laura Lightfoot, an account of whose father
also appears in this work. To this happy union four children have been born:
Samuel J., Charley, Laura C. and Mary M. He has a real estate holding of two
thousand and eight hundred acres of fine, well watered land and over four
hundred head of graded cattle. Fraternally he affiliates with the W. of W., Camp
No. 41, of Pendleton.  He and his family are members of the Catholic church, and
are living examples of the faith they hold.  Mr. Nelson enjoys the confidence
and esteem of his fellows and is one of the most substantial men within the
precincts of Umatilla county, being respected by all.

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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in February 2007 by Diana Smith. Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.