“Memorial and Biographical History of Dallas County,” published:  
Chicago;  The Lewis Publishing Company, 1892.

WILLIAM B. NELSON.—This gentleman is another one of the pioneer 
farmers of Dallas county, and is justly entitled to appropriate mention in this 
volume.  He came here from Kentucky in the fall of 1854, making the 
journey by wagons, coming via Memphis and Little Rock, and being forty-
five days en route.

Jesse Nelson, his father, was a native of Virginia, moving from there to 
Kentucky at an early day.  He was a cabinetmaker by trade, and was 
employed as overseer after moving to Kentucky.  His wife was before her 
marriage Miss Nancy Barland.  William B. is the youngest of his father’s 
family.  He was born in Monroe county, Kentucky, October 5, 1822.  The 
names of his brother and sisters are Anna J., who married John Kirby and is 
deceased; John; and Jesse, who is deceased.  Mrs. Nelson came to Texas 
with her son, and died at his house in 1878, at the age of eighty-two years.

William B. Nelson was married, January 16, 1862, to Miss D. F. Armstrong.  
For history of the Armstrong family see the biography of W. P. Armstrong.  
In part nership with his brother-in-law, John Kirby, Mr. Nelson purchased 
505 acres of land. They afterward divided it equally between them and Mr. 
Nelson subsequently sold seventy-three acres of his portion.  Still later they 
bought 213 acres more, which they also divided in equal parts.  Mr. Nelson 
now owns 286 acres of fine black soil that will grow anything indigenous to 
the State.  He has 110 acres under cultivation, and the whole farm fenced.  
He has built a good house and made various other improvements.  Like 
many of the pioneers of Dallas county, Mr. Nelson endured hardships and 
privations; but with bravery he overcame the difficulties as they presented 
themselves, and is now in well-to-do circumstances, his land being worth at 
least $40 per acre.

During the war Mr. Nelson enlisted in the Confederate army in 1863, and 
took an active part in a number of important engagements.

To Mr. and Mrs. Nelson have been born fifteen children, nine of whom are 
living, namely: Margaret J., wife of Burrell Pounder; William J., who 
married Rosie B. Harris; Andrew; Sarah E., wife of John Pelton; Robert; 
Nancy E., wife of Thomas Webb; John and Frances, twins; and Martha.  The 
parents and five daughters are members of the Christian Church.

Submitted by: Justina Cook