Nelson, James L. - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

James L. Nelson, well known local Spanish-American war veteran, died at Culver hospital Wednesday afternoon following a short illness. Mr. Nelson had been a patient in the hospital only two days. For many years Mr. Nelson was connected with the taxi service in this city and previously drove a horse drawn hack. He served one time as a member of the local police force. His first enlistment in the Army was with Company M, 150th regiment of the Indiana Volunteers in 1898. Following his honorable discharge from this regiment in 1899, he enlisted in Company H 30th regiment, of the U.S. Volunteers and served as a private fro about three years before being honorably discharged on July 30, 1901. During the latter enlistment he served two years in the Philippines with the army occupation. He arrived in Manila on the day that Gen. Lawton, an Indiana officer, was killed in action in the north part of the islands. Mr. Nelson was born in Pulaski county, Ky., on Oct. 3, 1862, the son of Joel and Martha Smith Nelson. On June 16, 1905 he was married to Ollie E. Comer of Yountsville, who preceded him in death in 1919. The survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Everett Heath, of this city, two brothers, Hiram Nelson of Judson and David Nelson of Spokane, Washington; one sister, Mrs. Martha Ferral of Veedersburg; and one grandson, and two step grand children. The body was taken to the Utterback funeral home where the funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 o'clock Friday afternoon. Burial will be made in the family lot at Oak Hill cemetery. -thanks to Kim H