The Rock Island Argus
Saturday, Jan. 24, 1931 p.4
Ezekiel Nelson, 85, Veteran of Civil War Badly Wounded in Battle Dies
Participated in Bloody Combat of Altoona Pass in Georgia
Ezekiel Nelson, 85 years old, veteran of the Civil War and retired building contractor, died shortly after 12
o'clock last night at the home of his son, George Nelson 4529 Eleventh Street, Rock Island. While he had been in
falling health for some years, Mr. Nelson had been seriously ill only four days. In the last years of his life
Mr. Nelson had been blind and crippled, his afflictions being attributed to wounds received in the bloody battle
of Altoona pass in Georgia.
The body was removed to this Knox mortuary, Rock Island, and will be returned to the home of a daughter, Mrs.
Anna Koester, 4124 Ninth street, Rock Island, tomorrow morning. Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon
at 2:30 o'clock at Mrs. Koester's residence. Rev. Ross W. Copeland, pastor of Gloria Dei United Presbyterian church,
Rock Island, will officiate, and burial will be in Chippiannock cemetery, Rock Island. Military services will be
conducted by John Buford post, Grand Army of the Republic, of which Mr. Nelson was a member.
Mr. Nelson was born Aug. 30, 1845, in Port Byron. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ezekiel Nelson, pioneer residents
of Rock Island county, and the grandson of Rev. Richard Williams of Port Byron, who lived to be 105 years old.
Mr. Nelson was one of many who attempted to enter the army before attaining the required age. He first tried
to enlist at Sheridan, Iowa, in 1862. He was admitted to the army two years later in Rock Island. Mr. Nelson never
recovered from the wounds he received at Altoona Pass when, with company E, 12th Illinois infantry, under the command
of General John M. Corse, he heroically fought with his comrades to defeat the Confederate army under General French.
Wounds Prevent March.
The Rock Island veteran attempted to continue with his comrades in the famous march to the sea under General
Sherman. His wounds proved such a hindrance that he was assigned to duty as private orderly to Brigadier General
Price and given a horse. Mounted, he completed the journey, returned to Washington after the war and was there
mustered out of service.
After the war Mr. Nelson settled in Rapids City. In 1866 he married Miss Lucinda White of Rapids City at Milan.
The couple made their home in Iowa and Missouri and later in Muscatine, where Mr. Nelson purchased a farm. He became
a member of the Joe hooker post, G. A. R., in Muscatine, and his membership was transferred to John Buford post
when he returned to this vicinity to make his home 30 years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson operated a farm near Milan
for a few years before moving into Rock Island.
Mr. Nelson resided for 22 years in Des Moines, where he was a building contractor, following his service in
the Civil war. It was after his residence in Des Moines that he moved to Muscatine, later coming to Rock Island.
Mrs. Nelson died in April, 1928. Surviving are a daughter, Mrs. Anna Koester of Rock Island; two sons, George
W. Nelson and Frank Nelson, both of Rock Island; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
Submitted by Roberta Bear