Wylie Nielson (1846 - 1928) was born in Edinburgh, Scotland and came with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Nielson to Hamilton, Ontario in 1863. He grew to manhood in Hamilton and left school for a job as a reporter on the Hamilton Times and later on the Detroit Free Press. He formed a partnership with his brother James Nielson in the grocery business which he carried on as well as his newspaper work. It was in Detroit that he met Mary Stewart of Jackson, Michigan, who was visiting in Detroit. In 1873 Wylie Nielson and Mary Stewart were married at her home in Jackson, Michigan. Mary Stewart (1852 - 1927) was born near Glasgow, Scotland, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Stewart, who left Scotland in 1854 for a farm near Stratford, Ontario. The Stewarts moved to Vernon, Michigan in 1869 and then to Jackson, Michigan, from there to Dakota Territory in 1878, where they purchased land. Stewart Twp. is named for Mrs. Nielson's father James Stewart. Wylie Nielson and his brother-in-law formed a partnership in the Jackson Tea Store, where he continued in business until 1886. During this time he had purchased railroad land in Stewart Twp., which was the first railroad land sold in the township. In the spring of 1879 he had visited the state and had made arrangements for having his place cultivated, one hundred and sixty acres being planted to wheat and oats. His wheat yielded twenty-eight bushels to the acre at an average weight of sixty-three pounds per bushel. The Nielson and Stewart families carried on the partnership, in the purchase of land and homes for, 57 years. In 1923, the Nielsons celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. Their home was always a social center. Mother Nielson had the true pioneer spirit, broad vision, courage, self-sacrifice, and optimism. She was a tireless worker for all that was good and constructive in the community. They had three children: Minnie Jean Nielson, James W., and Hazel Belle.
Minnie Jean Nielson taught in rural schools and in Valley City Public School. She was county superintendent of Barnes Co. and was State Superintendent of Public Instruction. She promoted consolidated schools, play days, hot lunch, school nurse and Teacher Institutes. She was a tireless worker and an inspirational leader in every organization she had membership in. No one can ever tell the story of Minnie Nielson's influence on the activities of Barnes Co. and the state of North Dakota for every good cause.
Hazel Belle Nielson, a teacher in Valley City High School and Fargo High School, deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction and on the staff of the Washington Bicentennial Commission. She spent 20 years in Washington, D.C., five years of which were as secretary of National Defense for the D.A.R. Both Minnie and Hazel were members of the American Legion Auxiliary, Pioneer Daughters, P.E.O., Delta Kappa Gamma, and the Congregational Church.
James Wylie Nielson was for many years in the abstract business and a director of Fidelity Savings and Loan. He also was associated with A. P. Peake in the insurance business. Mr. Nielson was a veteran of the Spanish-American War, a Kiwanian, a Boy Scout leader, a Royal Arch Mason, and belonged to the Knights of Pythias. He was married to Esther Clark, daughter of Samuel and Alice Erskine Clark. She was a member of the D.A.R. and P.E.O. James and Esther and their four children were members of All Saints Episcopal Church. Their four children are: James, married to Rita Patten; Mary Alice - Mrs. Douglas Mund; Clark, married Theoline Lokken; and Jean - Mrs. Harald Vogel.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 175