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Message Board > Nels Pierson

Nels Pierson
The Tampico Area Historical Society encompasses parts of Whiteside County and Bureau County in Illinois. Focus is on Tampico, Hume Twp., Hahnaman/Deer Grove, & Prophetstown in Whiteside County & Yorktown & Thomas in Bureau County.

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Administrator Denise 563 posts Apr 23, 2007 1:37 PM	I am trying to trace our Nels Pierson, 1881-1946. He will be represented in our Memorial Day Cemetery Walk. Nels was a local blacksmith and also served on the Tampico school board. His son, Nels, Jr., went on to head the Chicago AAA Assoc. Nels, Sr. married Sigrie Olson from New Bedford. We have all kinds of spellings for the Pierson name and also for Sigrie - her memorial card says Sigrid and her maiden name appears as Olsson and Olson on different documents. Nels' Naturalization papers state he is from Sodra Willie, Sweden. I have not been able to find that on any map. I am not familiar with Swedish research, so I have no resources. Although this is an excellent site for Swedish research: Finding Your Swedish Roots Is this a historical name? What does Sodra and Willie mean in Swedish? What county would this be in? I'm trying to see if the LDS has microfilmed their parish. Any help would be greatly appreciated - especially before Memorial Day! (smile) ---------- Denise Family History Coordinator Tampico Area Historical Society Last Edited by on Apr 23, 2007 1:41 PM
LesN 119 posts Apr 23, 2007 5:29 PM	Here's what I found in my Tampico Tornado transcriptions: November 15, 1902 NEW BEDFORD Nels TRUDSEN went to St. Charles, Ill., last Tuesday to attend the funeral of his niece, Mrs. Nels PIERSON. This was the only reference to Nels PIERSON I had in my files; however, I found a number of other PIERSONs (e.g., Olaf, Arthur and S. PIERSON.) Les
Administrator Denise 564 posts Apr 24, 2007 3:49 PM	Hi Les, Thanks for checking on this. I didn't find much by just "thumbing through" old Tornado issues either. Oddly, there was another Nels Pierson living in Tampico at the same time. He was also the same age. He never married, though. The Nels I am following had two children. His name is spelled as Persson on his initial certificate of arrival. Then Peirson, both typed and then signed by him. By the time he signed his final papers, it is typed and signed as Pierson and stayed that way ever after. There is a picture of him in our Centennial Year Book and I have seen some Ads in the Tornado for his blacksmith business. I had hoped to find something on his being on the school board, but no luck. Again, thanks for checking. ---------- Denise Family History Coordinator Tampico Area Historical Society
Administrator Denise 568 posts Apr 30, 2007 4:30 AM	Oh, THANK YOU Anna! ---------- Denise Family History Coordinator Tampico Area Historical Society
Anna 6 posts Apr 30, 2007 12:00 PM	Södra means South, and Villie is the villagename/placename. There might be other locations with that name but it´s a chance. Good luck! If you have any qustions about Sweden you are welcome to e-mail me. I´ll try to help. Anna from the Skåne province, Sweden Last Edited by on Apr 30, 2007 12:09 PM
Anna 7 posts May 01, 2007 11:08 PM	According to the swedish Wikipedia Villie parish was divided in two, North and South Villie, 200 years ago. In the microcard-catlouge I have for Malmöhus län, it just says Villie. If I´ve got it right South Villie was a parish of it´s own and North Villie belonged to Örsjö parish. there is a site on the internet handeling only Scanian questions, called Scangen. I´ve found it on Yahoo groups but I think if you use the searchbox you´ll find the site easy. There is also www.DDSS.nu which has some Scanian parishes online. It´s in english aswell. I´ve also checked a book (Rosenberg: Geografiskt-statistiskt handlexikon öfver Sverige) with most villagenames and so on and where the villages are in Sweden. There is another Villie but I think it´s in another parish. Last Edited by on May 02, 2007 1:54 PM
Debra L. Peterson 65 posts May 05, 2007 9:26 PM	I posted this question on a Swedish message board and the reply agrees with Anna- Sodra Villie is a small village in the parish of Villie in Malmohaus lan-southern Sweden- Malmo.The lans have been combined and now it is Skane lan. The last name Persson is "Peter's son- Per being Peter If Nels had been a girl his last name would have been Persdotter- Peter's daughter. My great uncle was the other Nels Pierceson- may have still been spelled Pierson at that time. He was born in Trane parish also of Skane lan. He was buried in Walnut when he died. Peterson seemed to become Pierson or Pierceson in my case. Although in the 1920 census for Tampico I found my ggrandparents Peter & Nellie Pierceson listed as Peter & Nellie Peterson. Seems like these Swedes had a hard time figuring out what they wanted their last name to be! Last Edited by on May 05, 2007 9:27 PM
Administrator Denise 572 posts May 06, 2007 2:48 PM	Well, thank you both, Anna & Deb! That clarifies it for me. And I'm glad to know where the OTHER Nels Pierceson belongs! Must be a relatively common name, eh? To have TWO Nels Pierceson's in the same town and about the same ages. Hope you can make the cemetery walk. ---------- Denise Family History Coordinator Tampico Area Historical Society
Debra L. Peterson 66 posts May 06, 2007 4:17 PM	It was a common name- the Swedish were not very creative with names- makes it hard to research as there are thousands with the same name- especially last names. A ton of Per Persson's, Sigrid Olsson's etc. That is why you have to know birthdates, parish born in,parents name and any other information if possible- so that you can tell if it is truly your Olof Anerson for example or someone elses. I am not sure I can make the cemetery walk as my mom has been very ill but, I will try. Last Edited by on May 06, 2007 4:18 PM
Administrator Denise 582 posts May 08, 2007 3:28 PM	Oooh! Anna, I just saw this post. How delightful to have you on our boards - WELCOME! LOTS of Swedes in our area. ---------- Denise Family History Coordinator Tampico Area Historical Society Last Edited by on May 08, 2007 3:29 PM
Anna 9 posts May 09, 2007 12:51 PM	I know! Have some emigrants that settled in Bureau county (Linderblood/Nelson) but I have some leads of the decendants ends up (Oklahoma). I like this site because I gets info about the areas history. And perhaps I can help someone with their swedish ancestors and with advice how to go on researching here in Sweden. I also know of good swedish/scanian sites on the internet that might be of help. Last Edited by on May 09, 2007 12:53 PM
Administrator Denise 583 posts May 09, 2007 11:56 PM	That is just great! Feel Free to list any websites in the msg thread. I am so glad you found us. If you need a look-up on Ancestry.com, just let me know. Denise ---------- Denise Family History Coordinator Tampico Area Historical Society
Debra L. Peterson 69 posts May 27, 2007 9:17 PM	Hi Anna- I just saw your post about living close to Trane parish- how wonderful!I have found some information about my ggrandparents but am still lacking a lot. I know that they emigrated from Trane parish with their son Nels. Nels was born illigitemate so his name was actually Nels Svennson his mother being Pernilla Svennson or more corectly Svennsdotter. He became Nels Pierceson after arriving in America. I am convinced that no one knew he was illigitemate until I started researching about 5 years ago. Do you have any pictures of the countryside that you could post or email to me? A trip to Sweden is probably something I will never be able to do. My email is debra@wmccicn.com Thanks! Deb Peterson
Debra L. Peterson 70 posts May 27, 2007 9:24 PM	Hi Les- a few post back you mentioned you had info on Olaf Pierson in your files. My grandmother Temple had an article about an Olaf Pierson and I am convinced he was related to Peter Pierceson but I am darned if I can figure out how- can you post what you have? Thanks!
Anna 13 posts May 29, 2007 2:45 PM	Hi Debra. tried to e-mail you but both my e-mail addresses wouldn´t accept your e-address. my e-mail is polara1se@yahoo.se
LesN 133 posts May 29, 2007 5:45 PM	Here's some PIERSON articles I transcribed from The Tampico Tornado: November 6, 1886 Peter PIERSON, of Galesburg, was home on a visit to his parents, Mr. O. PIERSON, who resides in this vicinity, and while here he ordered the Tornado sent to his address. July 11, 1891 Miss Nellie PIERSON closed a successful term of school at Yorktown, Friday. October 1, 1892 John PIERSON was among the visitors last week Friday who came in to see us edit. John is an industrious, hardworking man himself and as he watched us pull the old Washington, he made up his mind that editing was not the softest snap that could be wished for, and that editors as well as farmers were entitled to good pay for their labors and before he departed left us a dollar and half for more Tornadoes. November 15, 1902 NEW BEDFORD Fred COOLEY, of Yorktown, was here one day last week. C.W. ANDERSON took a load of fine honey to Princeton last Friday. Nels TRUDSEN went to St. Charles, Ill., last Tuesday to attend the funeral of his niece, Mrs. Nels PIERSON. December 13, 1902 A number of Preston LOVE's friends gave him a surprise party last Saturday evening. A pleasant time was enjoyed playing various games. Refreshments were served. Those present were: Misses Anna QUAINTANCE, Julia BAXTER, Mae ALLEN, Mary SLY, Maude McCLURE, and Grace DENISON; Messrs. Otto QUAINTANCE, Bennie BRAINERD, Joe SUMPTION, Glen STEADMAN, Frank FOY, Dick McKENZIE, Bob WHITE, Ralph GLASSBURN and Arvid PIERSON. August 15, 1903 Arvid PIERSON has sold his barber shop under McKENZIE's store to J.E. STRAUSS who formerly owned the shop two years ago. Mr. STRAUSS will move here and take possession next week. Mr. PIERSON intends to go north. August 29, 1903 John PIERSON, who lives north-west of here, lost a valuable horse Monday. April 6, 1904 Mrs. C.D. JOHNSON has been staying with her daughter, Mrs. A.J. PIERSON, who has been quite sick. June 2, 1905 Arthur PIERSON has purchased a new buggy and is not a baby carriage although he might use one of those. March 2, 1906 FAIRFIELD CENTER Mr. and Mrs. Arthur PIERSON spent Sunday at Mr. and Mrs. Olaf PIERSON's. February 15, 1907 Will NOON moved from his mother's house to the home vacated by Art PIERSON. July 8, 1920 DEATH OF MRS. C.D. JOHNSON Mrs. C.D. JOHNSON for many years a resident of this community died at her home here Saturday evening, July 3, about 7:30 o'clock after suffering for several months. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock at the Tampico Christian church in charge of Rev. STINE, Christian minister at New Bedford. Several selections were sung by Mrs. C.D. LOVE and Miss Bessie McKENZIE with Mrs. F. ACKERBERG as accompanist. There were a large number of beautiful flora tributes. Interment was in th Fairfield-Greenville cemetery by the side of her husband. The following six nephews acted as pall bearers: Lou, Leslie, Earl, Ernest and Harry PETERSON, Roy HAYES. The church was completely filled with relatives and friends. Achsa A. HAYES was born Sept. 13th, 1859 in Fairfield township on the old home place which was her residence for many years until moving to Tampico five years ago on account of teh failing health of Mr. JOHNSON. She was married to Christian D. JOHNSON, Jan. 9, 1879 at New Bedford and with the exception of a few years that they lived in Sheffield, Mr. and Mrs. JOHNSON spent all the years of their married life, except their residence here, on the old home place six miles south of town. She was baptized in the Christian church at New Bedford and was an attendant at that church and at the church here. Mrs. JOHNSON lived in this community all her life and leaves not only the children and relatives who will miss a good mother but also many friends who will miss a kind neighbor. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. JOHNSON, seven of whom survive as follows: Mrs. F.B. POTTER of Tampico, F.J. JOHNSON of Rockford, Mrs. Arthur PIERSON of Manilus, Mrs. Edith SWANSON of New Bedford, Stacey and Wayne JOHNSON of Fairfield, and Irene at home. Also one sister, Mrs. Lavina PETERSON of New Bedford and three brothers, Enos HAYES of Manilus, Andrew HAYES of Los Angeles, Cal. and John HAYES of Princeton. Les
Administrator Denise 600 posts May 29, 2007 8:51 PM	Thanks so much Les. I wish you could have been here to see the presentation. They wimped out on me because it sprinkled a little bit, so they had it in the Community Bldg instead of the cemetery. But Bob Cassens did such a great job. He incorporated all of the information you had sent and came with props and dressed in "smithy" attire! He actually knew Nels, so it was quite an interesting presentation. And he was such a trouper. His wife had been taken to the hospital the night before. He had been with her, but didn't want to let us down, so he came with his grandsons and "went on with the show." He was so worried about his wife, but you would never had known it during his presentation. Bob and his wife, Geri, are both in our prayers. ---------- Denise Family History Coordinator Tampico Area Historical Society Last Edited by on May 29, 2007 8:52 PM
Debra L. Peterson 72 posts May 30, 2007 4:39 AM	Hi Anna- I have sent an email to you.
Debra L. Peterson 73 posts May 30, 2007 4:41 AM	Thanks Les- I still don't see a connection but I am sure there is one. I will read your info again and see if I find one.
Anna 14 posts Jul 10, 2007 1:48 PM	Hi Denise How did the Cemetery Walk go (I guess Memorial Day is over?)?
Denise 8 posts Jul 10, 2007 8:21 PM	Hi Anna, The cemetery walk went fine. Thanks for asking. Unfortunately it started to rain a little earlier, so we held it in our community building instead of the cemetery. The older folks prefer it there anyway, but I think it loses something being indoors. But the presentations were great. Especially Nels Pierceson done by Bob Cassens. Wish I could video tape them and upload them to the site. Maybe someday....

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