John Nellsen was born in Calumet county, Wisconsin, on January 26, 1870, being the son of John and Elizabeth (Hammer) Nellsen, who are mentioned in another portion of this work. Our subject remained under the parental roof until he had attained the age of twenty and then went out to encounter the storms of life alone. He came to Walla Walla about that time and went to work hauling hay and straw. This was in the winter and during the summer he wrought in the harvest field. When the reservation opened he came to Craig mountain and took his present place of one hundred and twenty acres of fine pine timber land, which lies about four miles northwest from Morrow. Mr. Nellsen has some extra fine springs on his land and by his own efforts he has cleared sixteen acres. The first two years here, he and his brother worked out most of the time to get a start, but since then they have rented land and have done well, threshing this last year five thousand bushels of grain. They have their own machinery, horses, and are numbered with the prosperous men of this section. Much credit is due this worthy young man in his efforts to build up the country and make a good home; just such sturdy toilers as he are the ones who have made this country prosperous and the richest in the world.