Herman H. Nelson Dies At Napavine Saturday
Lewis county lost an outstanding citizen when Herman H. Nelson, pioneer logger and lumberman, died at his home at Napavine Friday evening. He had been about home most of the day, seemingly as well as usual. Toward nightfall he had gone to milk his cows, of which he kept several near his home. When he did not return, Mrs. Nelson went to the barn and found Mr. Nelson dead, apparently from a heart attack. His death, coming with such sudden and unexpected swiftness, was a great shock to the family and Mr. Nelson's wide circle of friends.
Mr. Nelson, who was born in Canada, was 59 years of age. He came to Lewis county 41 years ago as a young man, when he was about 18 years of age. Previously, he had lived in North Dakota. He early found employment in the logging camps and later developed into one of the most outstanding and capable logging foremen in southwest Washington. During the early days of the operation of the big mill at McCormick, he rose from the position of a common laborer to foreman of the logging works, being employed there three or four years. In 1903 he went to Doty to take charge as superintendent of the logging for the Doty Lumber & Shingle Company, under the management of C. A. Doty. Mr. Nelson held this position seven years, until the Doty concern was sold to the Mersereau interests; W. W. Emery being superintendent of the mill plant.
January 1 1911, Mr. Emery, Mr. Nelson and C. A. Doty bought the Hamilton Pitcher mill property and timber holdings at Napavine, the business being organized as Emery & Nelson, Inc. later Mr. Doty retired from the firm, which was operated as one of the most successful sawmill plants in western Washington until about four years ago. After its timber holdings had been cut out, it was closed down permanently. The Emery & Nelson mill at Napavine had the reputation of being most excellently operated at all times and was one in which laborers were especially glad to find employment. Mr. Emery was in charge of the sawmill operation; Mr. Nelson the logging. He had the reputation of getting most effective results out of the men working with him and under him, yet all the time they liked him and were most loyal to him in every way. It was due to the combination with Mr. Emery in charge of the mill and Mr. Nelson in charge of the logging that this business was developed into such a highly successful one.
While living at Napavine Mr. Nelson showed his splendid qualities as a public spirited citizen. He took a great interest in the schools and was elected director several terms. While occuping this position, Mr. Nelson secured and planted a row of trees around the school property, which he cared for personally until his death. This ornamentation stands as a lasting living memorial to him. Also, at Napavine, any time the schools needed anything along the line of athletics or other school activities, that Mr. Emery and Mr. Nelson could supply, both were always ready with a prompt response.
Mr. Nelson was a member of the Masonic lodge at Winlock; also of Afifi Shrine temple at Tacoma. He belonged to Chehalis B. P. O. Elks Lodge No. 1374 and had a wide circle of friends in all these organizations. Among the lumbermen and loggers of the northwest, also, he had a wide acquaintance and many warm friends. He loved the out of doors and was an active member of the Chehalis Gun Club, enjoying shooting at the traps and at his hunting lodge near Olympia as a fascinating pastime. About a year ago Mr. Nelson purchased a boat at Olympia and he and his family and friends found much pleasure with this while taking cruises on the sound.
Mr. Nelson is survived by his widow, Mrs. Anna Nelson; three sons, James H. Nelson of Oroville, Don Nelson of Ethel and Herman Emery Nelson of Napavine; three daughters, Mrs. Linccoln [stet] Shropshire of Lewiston, Ida., Mrs. Clifford Gibson of Puyallup and Mrs. Harry Ritter of Chicago; two brothers, Hugh B. Nelson of Prineville, Ore., and William J. of Centralia; and two sisters, Mrs. R. Murie of Langdon, N. D., and Mrs. John Fulton of Toledo.
Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Sticklin Mortuary. There were many beautiful floral tributes. Pallbearers were chosen from the list of relatives given above, two sons, Don and James Nelson; two sons-in-law, Clifford Gibson and Lincoln Shropshire; a brother-in-law, John Fulton; and a brother, William J. Nelson. Rev. R. B. Parcel of the Methodist churches at Winlock and Napavine officiated. Burial was at Claquato, graveside services being in charge of the Chehalis Elks lodge.
Source: The Chehalis Bee-Nugget, 4 December 1931, page 9. Microfilm available at Washington State Library, 6880 Capitol Boulevard South, Tumwater, WA. 98512
Transcribed by Kathryn Lester. She has no further information on this individual.