from http://www.heritagepursuit.com/Wood/WoodBio717.htm, 
pages 731-732 of the 1897 History of Wood Co, OH 

WILLIAM NELSON is a representative farmer of Center township, where he owns a 
fine farm of 250 acres.  His operations have been marked with uniform success,
and in addition to being a thorough and skillful agriculturist, he is 
a business man of more than ordinary capacity, wise and judicious in his 
investments, and taking advantage of the facilities afforded at this day 
and age by improved machinery, and all the other appliances, required by 
the modern tiller of the soil.  Mahoning county, Ohio, was the earliest home 
of our subject, where he was born June 30, 1820.  His parents, James and Sarah 
(Evenings [sic - Iddings]) Nelson, were natives of Buffalo Valley, Union Co., 
Penn., where the father engaged in farming until coming to Wood county to make 
his home with his son.  Here his death occurred in 1873 [sic - 1869], and 
his wife, who had preceded him to the world beyond, died in 1865 [sic - 1853].
In their family were ten children, named as follows: Jane, Liddie, Jonathan, 
Katherine, William, James, Mary, John D., Sarah and Jesta.  

William Nelson received his education in the district schools, while his
farm training was received on the old homestead.  At the age of fourteen years 
he began selling goods on the road, which occupation he continued to follow 
for sixteen years, during which time he managed by strict economy to save enough
money to purchase 160 acres of land in Hancock county, Ohio.  A portion of the 
farm had been placed under cultivation, and to its improvement he devoted his 
time and attention until 1865, when he disposed of that property and removed 
to Missouri, remaining there a short time.  Coming back to Ohio, he located 
in Center township, where he bought 100 acres, half of which had been improved.
He cleared the balance, and as his financial resources increased, added 150 acres
to his farm.  Starting out in life with very little capital - in fact, nothing 
but his strong hands and resolute will - the present condition of Mr. Nelson, 
socially and financially, reflects great credit upon him, both as an agriculturist
and a business man.

In August, 1852, Mr.  Nelson was married in Hancock county, the lady of his
choice being Miss [sic - widow of John Wyant] Rebecca Bowman, who was born 
March 20, 1830 [sic - 1831?], and is a daughter of Henry Bowman, a prominent 
farmer of that county.  Eight children were born of this union, all of whom 
survive, and in order of birth are as follows: James L., born July 23, 1853, 
is a farmer, and, by his marriage with Ellen Shinew, has eight children; 
William H., born July 26, 1855, carries on agricultural pursuits in Gratiot 
county, Mich.; Sarah E., born January 4, 1858, is the wife of Thomas Shinew, 
a farmer of Portage township; Liddie E., born August 31, 1860, is the wife of 
James Davis, a contractor and builder, of Plain township, Wood county; 
John A., born May 24, 1864, is a farmer living on the homestead; Louisa J., 
born October 10, 1866, is the wife of George Crom, a farmer of Michigan; 
Elmert [sic], born August 7, 1868, married Della Stacy; and Emma R., born 
November 28, 1872, is the wife of Arthur Vermillia, a farmer of Henry county, Ohio.

Mr. Nelson still resides upon his farm, which is now conducted by his son John,
but has laid aside business cares, resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his
former toil.  He has liberally aided his children in securing good homes, 
and to all objects for the good of the community, he has been a cheerful and 
liberal contributor.  His early education was quite limited, but his natural 
intelligence and habits of observation have served to keep him well informed 
upon matters of general interest.  He is politically at true-blue Republican,
and there are few people held in higher esteem than William Nelson and 
his excellent wife, who has been his faithful and sympathizing companion 
for upwards of forty-four years.