Daniel Nelson

Nelsonville, Ohio

Burial place of Daniel Nelson, town founder

Fort Street Cemetery

Daniel Nelson's biography from the "History of the Hocking Valley 1883"

In 1814 Mr. Daniel Nelson, an intelligent and prosperous citizen of Shrewsbury, Mass., purchased a large tract of land from an agent of the Ohio Company, and came with his family to settle and improve it. He reached the site of Nelsonville in August, 1814, and, as soon as possible, erected a double log-cabin for a dwelling, on the ground where now stands the dwelling of Mr. John Burberry, just west of W.B. Brooke's store. The following is from the Centennial address of W.C. Hickman at Nelsonville, July 4, 1876."In June, 1818, York Township was organized and on the 16th of the same month Daniel Nelson laid out the village of Nelsonville, which was properly named in honor of the founder, who well deserved that and greater acknowledgement, for his public-spirited energy of character, and for his foresight and generosity to the then weak, struggling village. Let me say here, that no selfish act nor and instance of close exacting dealing is shown by such items of history as we can now gather, to have been perpetrated by Daniel Nelson toward the village he founded, or toward those who had cast their lot in it. He has long since passed to his final account; but these words can truthfully be said of him, and it is his due that they be thus publicly expressed. His death occurred on the 20th of May, 1835. The original plat comprised fifty-seven lots, numbering from one to fifty-seven. Two streets were named--Columbus and Mulberry. In the month of October 3d day, 1825, Mr. Nelson laid out twenty additional town lots, numbering from fifty-eight to seventy-seven, both inclusive. At that time the town had not developed to any great extent; but those who lived there had faith in its future, and were getting ready for it's growth." He was postmaster at Nelsonville Jan 1, 1824 he held this position until 1832. (transcribed by Betty Leeper)

The Nelson's were the parents of 12 children born between the years 1809 to 1832. Daniel's wife was Sarah Smith. They had three sons. Two of the children died in infancy, one of which died in 1814 en route from Massachusetts to Ohio and was buried in Marietta, Ohio. The following are the names of the 10 children of Daniel and Sarah Nelson who survived and married in Athens County. Elizabeth Nelson married J. R. Howe, Sarah Nelson married Nathan Woodard, Mary Nelson married Lewis Steenrod, Eleanor Nelson married Ichabod Woodard, Daniel Nelson married Catherine Comstock, Aurilla Nelson married Cornelius Steenrod, Alexander Ward Nelson married Alpha Steenrod, Lucy Nelson married Judge Jacob C. Frost, Melissa Nelson married Judge Rudolph DeSteiguer and John S. Nelson married Ehilena Hamilton. De Steiguer Street is named after Judge Rudolph and wife Melissa.

Daniel Nelson built a home in 1820 on the lot which was the site of the former Hoodlet's store and is now occupied by the First National Bank. According to the publication, 125th Anniversary of Nelsonville, Ohio, published in 1963, the Nelson double-log house was moved from its original location around the corner to Columbus Street, and at that time it became a schoolhouse. In 1871 it was moved to Fayette Street where it reverted to a private dwelling. In 1902 it was moved again to an adjacent lot. During this move 10 to 12 feet were removed from the middle of the double log home. This historic building is still standing at 87-89 Fayette Street.

Today Nelsonville is the home to Hocking College which attracts families to its educational pursuits and attracts tourists each year to it's Paul Bunyan Festival. Also for train enthusiasts there is in operation the Hocking Valley Railroad, which takes riders on a short journey through the past. The Nelsonville Parade of the Hills is an annual event held in the Victorian Nelsonville square.

Nelsonville's claim to Hollywood fame was the movie "Mischief" with many scenes filmed in town during the mid 1980's. The Victorian Square was also filmed in a commercial for the television game show "Wheel of Fortune" where Pat and Vanna traveled around the square in their convertible. Actress Sarah Jessica Parker Broderick was born here.

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