Rural Economics

                              

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Supporting information from interviews with Harry Nelson, Harry's daughter, Mary Busick, Daily Press article by Chip Olsen
   
    Farming: Time and Resources
    Generations on Nelson Farm
         

Farming  

Time and resources were the main consideration for most farmers

Consequently, many farms became “all-season farms” where farmers would raise crops such as hay, oats and corn during the summer months and harvest logs or ice fish during the winter months.
This supplemental work evolved over the years with the changing needs of the local community and included these jobs on the Nelson Farm:
- Shingle weaving
- Mill work
- Harvesting lumber and cutting and holing firewood

"The Nelson photos show a
progression of an industry as well
as the growth of a family tree…a tree
whose roots run deep in this soil."

Daily Press article, Chip Olsen


 
           
                                                            ~ Cow ~


Generations have lived on the Nelson Farm  > up


Harry Nelson has family heritage that is both Swedish and German

Harry grew up on the family farm owned by his father, Alfred Nelson, who immigrated to this country from Sweden at age 18.  Alfred worked as an itinerant shingle-weaver and traveled throughout Great Lakes area.  Because of his work reputation, he was sought out by the mill foreman at the Ford River mill where he settled in the early 1900’s.  Alfred worked at the mill from 1906 until it closed in 1911.


~ Lindisberg, Sweden - 1916
Home of Eric Nelson and WIfe,
Alfred's parents ~
       
 ~ Harry with his Father Alfred, Mother and Sister Nell on front porch ~


~ Farm Road ~

~ Farm Car, Original Farm house, Ford River, MI ~
Meet Harry Nelson

Harry was born on the farm February 20, 1925 and learned farming early


      ~ Young Harry ~		 Harry, referring to his father Alfred said, “He always had me with.  He taught me everything.”

One of Harry’s jobs as a child was to feed draft horses and other livestock.
     
                   ~ Nelson Farm~		       
         ~ Harry with Silver and Babe ~

           ~ Harry with Dan ~		         
           ~ Clearing the Land - picking rocks~
                        
                                       ~ Pulling Stumps ~


Neighboring farms shared equipment and labor as whole families worked at harvesting the fields


                                
                                     ~ Harry and the Thresher ~

In 1929, Harry’s father, Alfred, bought a Wood Brothers threshing machine

In the 1930’s, the only thresher in Ford River was the one purchased by Alfred Nelson.  The thresher and the crew traveled from farm to farm until the harvesting work was completed. 

During the harvesting process, the kitchen was a busy place as the women prepared the meals that the ravenous workers would share during their noon break.

        ~ Thresh Buske Farm ~
        
 ~ William and Anna - Buske Family 1915~


                              
                                              ~ Hay Loading~

The threshing machine cost $900 and came by rail to Escanaba from Des Moines, Iowa.  It was used on many of the farms in Ford River township, where they might thresh up to 2,100 bushels per day.  The Delta County museum in Escanaba houses a wagon donated by the Nelson family—the same wagon his father depended on for daily chores.

Generations continue to flourish

Life has been a collage of hardships and opportunities for the nine sons and daughters of the Swedish immigrant, but the family continues to grow.  When the Ford River Lumber Company shut down, Alfred began logging on his own, cutting and hauling wood for sale.  To make ends meet, he farmed by necessity.

The Nelson farm produced its own foods.  They churned their own butter and ice cream; made bread, canned venison and beef, made blood sausage.  A very large root cellar stored their vegetables and meats.

According to Harry Nelson’s daughter, Mary Busick, “This rural community of Ford River considered themselves farmers.  If you asked them, they would tell you they are farmers.”

~Nelson Family - Christmas 1939~
          ~ Harry with his brother Earl ~



Harry and Catherine Nelson

Catherine McCarthy and Harry met as toddlers.  Catherine’s aunt was a teacher at the local school and boarded for some time with Harry’s family.  Both families became steadfast friends.  As a youngster, Catherine spent some of her summer visiting her aunt and befriending the Nelson family. 
Catherine was teaching and living in town when she married Harry. “She was a town girl,” says Harry of his young bride, “but she liked to live out here (farm at Ford River).  We lived real good when Catherine was teaching.”  Her teaching supplemented the family income for some time, as did her harvests from the family garden.        
          ~ Catherine and Harry Nelson ~

  As they started their family, Catherine left teaching and stayed home.  Eventually Harry and Catherine relocated Catherine’s mother, Ruth McCarthy, closer to the family farm.  Catherine returned to the classroom while Ruth helped care for the children.  The extended family worked together on farm chores, tended to each other’s family needs, and always helped their neighbors.

                               The Nelson farm today

Today the farm is used as a hobby farm by Harry and his son, Bob Nelson, and grandson, Dennis Busick.  Much of their farm work is now directed to the Upper Peninsula Steam & Gas Engine Association for which they plant hay and oats for animal consumption.



For more information contact the Delta County Historical Society archives / Project Pioneer - local oral histories on tapes and transcripts at Bay College's Learning Resource Center