Nels Nelson was born in Oslo, Norway, on December 15, 1870. He left Norway in 1886 and settled in Wisconsin until 1895 when he came to Foster County to homestead. His claim was near where Glenfield is now. Glenfield had not been established at the time.

He lived on his farm until 1936 when he retired and moved into Glenfield .

He died in December 1936.

Source: A History of Foster County 1983 Page 52B