HR0210LRB103 31904 MST 60590 r


  
1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of 
3Representatives wish to recognize the life of Nelson Oliver 
4Nelson; and
  
 
5    WHEREAS, Nelson Oliver Nelson was born in 1844 in Norway 
6and later moved to St. Joseph, Missouri; at the age of 16, he 
7joined the infantry and fought for the Union during the Civil 
8War; once he returned home, he became a businessman in St. 
9Louis, working for Bignall Brothers; and
  
 
10    WHEREAS, Nelson Oliver Nelson had traveled to Guise, 
11France, where he observed the cooperative community, which led 
12to his purchase of 125 acres in Edwardsville; in 1890, he 
13established the Village of Leclaire, which thrived on his 
14leadership of profit-sharing; he  established a library within 
15Leclaire and along with the library, he created one of the 
16first kindergartens in the area; and
  
 

  
17    WHEREAS, Nelson Oliver Nelson died on October 5, 1922; the 
18factories he  built continued to turn a profit for decades 
19after his death; people continue to live in the Leclaire 
20neighborhood and build homes, and  the Leclaire baseball field 
21that opened in 1892 continues to operate to this day; 
22therefore, be it
  
 
 
 
HR0210- 2 -LRB103 31904 MST 60590 r

1    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 
2HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 
3we recognize the life of Nelson Oliver Nelson and his 
4accomplishments and contributions to his community; and be it 
5further
  
 
6    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 
7presented to the Leclaire Library as a symbol of our respect 
8and esteem.