HR0210 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0210 LRB103 31904 MST 60590 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to recognize the life of Nelson Oliver Nelson; and

WHEREAS, Nelson Oliver Nelson was born in 1844 in Norway and later moved to St. Joseph, Missouri; at the age of 16, he joined the infantry and fought for the Union during the Civil War; once he returned home, he became a businessman in St. Louis, working for Bignall Brothers; and

WHEREAS, Nelson Oliver Nelson had traveled to Guise, France, where he observed the cooperative community, which led to his purchase of 125 acres in Edwardsville; in 1890, he established the Village of Leclaire, which thrived on his leadership of profit-sharing; he established a library within Leclaire and along with the library, he created one of the first kindergartens in the area; and

WHEREAS, Nelson Oliver Nelson died on October 5, 1922; the factories he built continued to turn a profit for decades after his death; people continue to live in the Leclaire neighborhood and build homes, and the Leclaire baseball field that opened in 1892 continues to operate to this day; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the life of Nelson Oliver Nelson and his accomplishments and contributions to his community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Leclaire Library as a symbol of our respect and esteem.