John Nelson's Obituary:
John Ernest Nelson, son of John W. and Eliza Boner Nelson, was born on the Nelson homestead two and one-half miles east of Mt. Zion, Iowa, May 19, 1878 and passed away at this home June 1, 1936 at 6:15 p.m. aged 58 years and 12 days.
After finishing at the local school he attended Birmingham High School and later the Capital City Commercial College at Des Moines.
He was married to Miss Grace Barker of Mt. Zion June 1, 1905. They made their home on the Nelson farm where he was extensively engaged in farming and marketing stock.
His wife passed away Aug. 4, 1933. He is survived by the following children: John Conley, Merle Earnest, Jean Carol, Paul Hugh, and Roberta Grace, and by two grandchildren. Bobby and Desda Grace Nelson and four sisters. Mrs. J.F Murphy, Vinita, OK; Mrs L.J. Perkins, Lewiston, Idaho; Mrs. O.S. Calhoun, Birmingham, Iowa; Mrs. Todd Hootman, San Diego, CA. His parents, two brothers and two sisters preceded him in death.
He was for many years a member of the Presbyterian church. In 1920 he was elected to the office of ruling elder which office together with that of clerk of the session he held until his death.
He was active in affairs of the Van Buren County Fair Association and for some time one of the directors. He was also Inspector of the Production Credit Association at Mt. Pleasant for territory of Van Buren and Jefferson counties. Twenty-three years ago he suffered a severe injury which neither surgical treatment at Mayos nor winters spent in Texas and California afforded complete relief but was able to attend to business until the last year when his health failed rapidly. He suffered uncomplainingly and courageously through the long illness.
The funeral was held at the Mt. Zion Presbyterian church Wednesday, June 3rd in charge of the Rev. H.C. Irvine who took for the text: "I have fought a good fight, I have kept the faith. I have finished my course." The pall bearers were Earl Murphy, John N. Calhoun, Kenneth Barker, and Dick Miller. The Williams Bros. quartette sang, "Crossing the Bar." "Abide With Me." and "Wonderful Words of Love." Burial was in Millers Chapel cemetery.
Source: Excerpts from his Obituary.