December 2024 • Nebraskaland 55
ohn Nelson did not fi nd much gold in Colorado, but
Nebraskans are fortunate he found photography.
Born in Sweden in 1864, Nelson immigrated to
Nebraska with his parents when he was 17. As a young
adult, he homesteaded in Wheeler County, but later sold out
and headed west to Colorado to prospect for gold. During his
travels, he became interested in photography, opening his
own studio when he returned home.
Nelson was a prominent resident of Ericson, Nebraska,
until his death in 1942. In addition to his photography
business, he served as county surveyor for more than 30
years and retained a strong interest in agriculture. A year
before his death, the Wheeler County Independent reported
he was advising a local high school agriculture class on the
fi ner points of judging calves.
As a professional photographer, Nelson advertised his
studio portraiture, but most of his hundreds of photos in
the Nebraska State Historical Society collection were taken
in the fi eld. Local businesses hired him to take promotional
photos, and he photographed local events and scenes to sell
as picture postcards. In 1928, for example, he off ered "20
Kodak views of the Wheeler County Fair, including views of
the grounds, the Indians, and the bucking broncos" for one
dollar.
Nelson's photos also record changing technology in central
Nebraska, with early photos of auto mechanics and the
John Nelson's
Nebraska
J
By David L. Bristow, Nebraska State Historical Society
Cutting ice from lakes and ponds was
an important business in the pre-
refrigeration days, but the presence of
women indicates this is a gag photo.
NSHS RG3542-95-12
JOHN
NELSON,
SELF-PORTRAIT.
NSHS
RG3542-5-1
When the fi shing is good. NSHS RG3542-141-10
