Person:Mary Nelson (85)

According to Janice Kelley Roddick, Mary Lena had some kind of accident when she was young and it "stunted" her growth. She was only four feet tall. She became quite famous as a violinist, never married, and lived her elder years in an apartment building she owned in San Francisco. She left all of her money, property and jewelry to her maid.

From newspaper clippings collected by Augusta Blaine Nelson

The Pease Sisters Benefit

Miss Lena Nelson, another of the Professors apt pupils, was prevailed upon to give a violin solo, and she rendered a waltz medley so well that she earned a hearty encore, to which she responded with the "Sweet Bye and Bye" to the great delight of the audience.

Fourth of July Picnic

The following is the order of exercise to be observed at Oakland Park at the Fourth of July picnic, to which everybody is invited. The morning exercises will commence at 10 o'clock, and will consist of songs, recitations, and a violin solo by Miss Lena Nelson.

TALENTED MUSICIAN VISITING IN CITY

Miss Mary Lena Nelson, one of the most accomplished young women violinists of this country, and a resident of Chicago, spent yesterday in this city [Portland, Or]. Miss Nelson was accompanied by her mother, Mrs. Theodore Nelson and her aunt, Mrs. J. Yoakum, of Chicago. The party has been on a several months trip through the United States, visiting the important cities, and arrived here Saturday evening from San Francisco.

Miss Nelson has been highly praised by the masters of the violin in the east.

The party will leave Wednesday for a trip through eastern Oregon, which will last about two weeks. They will return to Portland later for a few days' visit.

MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT

The musical given by the Heppner Jr. Band in Robert's Hall Friday evening last was exceptionally good, and was duly appreciated by a large audience. ---------- ----------------But none were more appreciated than the violin solos by Miss Mary Lena Nelson. As a violinist Miss Nelson has few equals. She has perfect control of the bow and her notes are so clear and distinct that they almost speak the words. Her reproduction of "Berceuse" alone was worth the admission, for which she was highly complimented.

A Musical Treat

March 1904

Seldom do Heppner people get a chance to listen to such a rare treat as the musical given by the Heppner Junior Band in Roberts Opera House last Friday evening. ---------------------The violin solo, "Hearts and Flowers" by Miss Mary Lena Nelson was, without a doubt the finest we have heard, and we cannot speak to highly of her ability as a violinist. Miss Nelson has certainly climbed to the top of the ladder as a violinist.

Miss Lena Nelson again favored her audience with a violin solo, "Berceuse," which, like the first one highly appreciated.

1900 United States Federal Census

Name: Lena Mary Nelson Home in 1900: Chicago Ward 32, Cook, Illinois Age: 26 Estimated Birth Year: abt 1874 Birthplace: Illinois Relationship to Head of House: Daughter Father's Name: Theodore Mother's Name: Augusta Race: White

Household Members: Theodore Nelson 49 Augusta Nelson 47 Lena Mary Nelson 26 Annie Cronin 30

Source Citation: Year: «i»1900;«/i» Census Place: «i»Chicago Ward 32, Cook, Illinois;«/i» Roll: T «i»623..286«/i»; Page:«i» 9A«/i»; Enumeration District: «i»1015.

«/i»1920 United States Federal Census

Name: Lena M Nelson

           [Leva M Nelson]

Home in 1920: Oakland, Alameda, California Age: 43 Years Estimated Birth Year: abt 1877 Birthplace: Illinois Relation to Head of House: Head Father's Birthplace: New York Mopther's Birthplace: Ohio Marital Status: single Race: White Sex: Female Home Owned: Rent Able to Read: Yes Able to Write: Yes Image: 940

Household Members: Lena M Nelson 43 Hattie R Nelson 73

Source Citation: Year: «i»1920«/i»; Census Place: «i»Oakland, Alameda, California;«/i» Roll: «i»T625..80«/i»; Page«i»: 6B«/i»; Enumeration District: «i»95«/i»; Image: «i»940.

«/i»California Death Index, 1940-1997

Name: Mary Lina Nelson Social Security #: 0 Sex: FEMALE Birth Date: 27 Mar 1874 Birthplace: Illinois Death Date: 31 Jan 1958 Mother's Maiden Name: Blaine FATHER'S SURNAME: Nelson

Source Information: Ancestry.com., «i»California Death Index, 1940-1997«/i» [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2000.

1.   Janice Kelley Roddick re: Mary Lina Nelson
   Verbal from Janice Kelley Roddick, 3 May 2006.