Arner Nelson, "Recollections of Homestead Days"

Arner Nelson, "Recollections of Homestead Days", 1968

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Nelson, Arner D., 1907-1972
Title: Arner Nelson, "Recollections of Homestead Days"
Dates: 1968
19681968
Quantity: 1 item
Collection Number: Collection 0591, MtBC, us (collection)
Summary: "Recollections of Homestead Days" was composed by Arner D. Nelson to describe his boyhood on his father's homestead claim in southern Petroleum County, Montana. Nelson’s describes his trip from Spokane, Washington to Roundup, Montana, and then overland in a wagon to the Flatwillow area. He also describes life on the new homestead, his family's first car, and school experiences.
Repository: Montana State University Library, Merrill G. Burlingame Special Collections
Montana State University-Bozeman Library
Merrill G Burlingame Special Collections
P.O. Box 173320
Bozeman, MT
59717-3320
Telephone: 4069944242
Fax: 4069942851
Access Restrictions: This collection is open for research.
Languages: English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Arner D. Nelson was born in Polk County, Wisconsin on October 6, 1907, one of three children of David and Ingo Lambert Nielsen. His father changed his name to "Nelson" and in 1914 moved with his family to a homestead claim near Flatwillow, Petroleum County, Montana. Arner grew up working on the homestead and, on November 25, 1935, married Teresa Lucas and moved to Roundup, Montana where he worked as a cement contractor. The couple had two sons, and Arner died at Roundup on December 3, 1972.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

"Recollections of Homestead Days" was composed by Arner D. Nelson to describe his boyhood on his father's homestead claim in southern Petroleum County, Montana. Nelson describes his trip with his mother and sisters on the train from Spokane, Washington to Roundup, Montana, and then overland in a wagon to the Flatwillow area. He also describes life on the new homestead, his family's first car, and school experiences. The manuscript includes a brief addendum by his sister, Jennie Nelson Rorabeck.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

An original typed boyhood reminiscence by Arner D. Nelson was donated to Montana State University by his brother-in-law, David Rorabeck, College Place, Washington on April 9, 1968.

Processing Note

This collection was processed 2012 June 27

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

Automobiles--Montana--Petroleum County
Families--Montana--Petroleum County
Farm life--Montana--Petroleum County
Frontier and pioneer life--Montana--Petroleum County
Schools--Montana--Petroleum County

Personal Names

Nelson, Arner D., 1907-1972

Family Names

Nelson family
Nielsen family

Geographical Names

Flatwillow (Mont.)
Petroleum County (Mont.)--History--20th century

Form or Genre Terms

Reminiscences--Montana--Petroleum County

Other Creators

Personal Names
- Rorabeck, Jennie Nelson, 1909-2005

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