The organization known as the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War was established in 1889 and remains in existence today. In 2021, the present-day organization, known as the Col. William Colvill Camp 56 Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War, embarked on a 5-year project to identify the last Union Civil War veteran buried in each of Minnesota’s 87 counties. By this August, they had performed the recognition honors in 73 counties with plans to finish in 2026. Their research has identified the following Nicollet County veteran.
John W. Nelson was born in Sweden in 1844 and immigrated to America as a child. At 19, he enlisted in the 116th Indiana Infantry and later reenlisted in the 43rd Illinois Infantry, where he saw active service in Arkansas until the war’s end in 1865.
After the war, Nelson built his life in Nicollet County, purchasing a farm in New Sweden, raising five sons with his wife Ellen, and later retiring in Winthrop. He passed away in 1933 at the age of 88 and was laid to rest at Scandian Grove Lutheran Cemetery.
Nearly a century later, his service and sacrifice will be remembered once again. All are welcome to join in honoring John W. Nelson, the last Union veteran buried in Nicollet County.
