The first settler of Nelson township was Luther Stone, who arrived in 1836 and staked his claim along with the help of his sons, Burrill and Samuel. The next settler is believed to be Abner Coggswell, who arrived in 1843. Luther Stone established a tavern which he operated for many years out of his large log house.

Abner Coggswell was the first township supervisor and the first Justices of Peace were Daniel Uhl and George Jones. Michael Troutman was named the first township assessor and R. Henry Heaton became the first collector. Each was elected in 1860, when the Township was organized.

Early settlers were not attracted to Nelson. It was sparsely settled prior to 1854. Settling in Nelson in 1850 were Arthur Phillips, John Mooers, Michael Trautman, Elijah Walker and Henry Heaton, Albert Hubbard and Conrad Hartman. The Zion Lutheran Church was organized in the Township at an early date, with services held in the little schoolhouse which was constructed in 1856. The school soon became too small and a larger one was built on the same spot. The Town of Nelson was platted in Dec. 22, 1862 on land belonging to WiIlard S. Pope and Samuel Nelson.

In 1902 and 1903 the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Company built a branch line, leaving the main line at Nelson. Large coal sheds were also erected at Nelson to carry coal on the Nelson to Peoria Line. The population rose tremendously. In 1880 the population was 454 and by early 1900 the population was 586.

John McKinstry, one of the first settlers in Nelson, arrived in 1857 and started the town of Nelson as a station on the Northwestern Railroad line, six and a half miles west of Dixon. The tract laid a path through the wild prairie and wild game was in abundance; just a few miles away. McKinstry opened the first store in Nelson and also served as train agent for the Chicago & Northwestern depot from 1857 to 1877. He also established a Post office in 1858. He was very active in public affairs. He was representative of Nelson Township for four years.

In 1874 the Nelson Cemetery Association was formed with the following men serving as Board directors: Henry King, Samuel Stone, and Enos Babcock. The land for the cemetery was donated by McKinstry and the large iron arch over the entrance of the cemetery was donated by Martin Detrick. The first town meeting was held at McKinstry's store April 3, 1860. The following men served on the board: George Jones, William Uhl, Abner Cogswell, John Mooers, C. A. Southwell, and Jacob Harden. The Village was divided into road districts, in order that a highway overseer could be chosen. A fence law was adopted in order to confine pigs and sheep. A dollar bounty was paid for all wolves killed. Abner Cogswell, was the first supervisor; John McKinstry, first clerk; Michael Troutman, first assessor; and Henry Heaton and John Mooers, first collectors.

In 1919 a two-story brick garage was built by Paul Young, Prior to this in 1894, the present Stitzel's General Store was taken over by Miller C. Stitzel, from his brother, James Stitzel. Miller Stitzel served as Postmaster from 1895 to 1904.

Then several years the mail was delivered by rural route, out of Dixon. In 1908 Weyert Vieth served as Postmaster, but in 1908 Stitzel was again appointed Postmaster. In 1923, A. W. Peterson succeeded Stitzel and served until 1925. Again by 1926, the mail was delivered by the Dixon Post Office. The following year, M. C. Stitzel was appointed Postmaster and served until 1940 when he retired on pension and watched his son, Earle D. Stitzel, take the Post Office.

There were five schools in the area. The present two-room brick school was erected in Nelson in 1922. The school is still used today for grades kindergarten through four. An addition which was added to the structure in the 1960's holds grades five through eight. High school students from Nelson attend the Rock Falls High School.

On Aug. 23, 1923, the Village of Nelson was incorporated. First members of the Board were: Leo N. Lehman, Pres. Gus Bartholomew, Ben Vieth, Klaus Siebolt, Edward Ortgiesen, Paul Young, and Henry Dully, Trustees. Clyde Funk was Village Clerk. On May 20, 1924, an ordinance was passed to build cement walks on all streets in the Village. An ordinance was passed to put an electric system from Dixon to Nelson and install street lights and residence lighting. In 1926, electricity was installed in all homes and on each street corner of the Village.

In 1928, the present Nelson Village Hall was erected. In 1930, Clarence Welker organized the Nelson Boy Scouts, who were active a number of years. They disbanded and on April 30, 1950, George Cossman organized another troop. The Cub Scouts were organized in 1950 by LeRoy Genz. Mrs. Earle Stitzel organized the Nelson Pine Tree Troop, Girl Scouts, in April 28, 1932, which was active for four years.

The Rock Island Road which runs East and West was built in 1935 by George Ransom. A plaque with the names of all World War II service men and women, in the vicinity, was erected in front of the Village Hall in 1942. The Nelson community Sunday School was first organized by Mrs. James (Hattie) Stitzel. Later Klaus Siebolt was in charge and in 1925, Mrs. Edward (Olive) Ortgiesen assumed charge. In March 1950, Mrs. Ivan Sharp, Mrs. Clarence McDonald, Mrs. Stanley Holaday, and Mrs. Willard Salmon, organized the Nelson Nifties 4-H Club.

The first Nelson Day picnic was held Aug. 22, 1948 in Genz Park. On Sept. 4, 1946 the Clyde Shoemaker Coal Co. was established and Feb. 16, 1945 the first Nelson School P. T. A. was organized.

On January 1, 1963, Earle Stitzel retired from the store and Post Office. He gave the store and Post Office to his daughter, Mrs. Dorothy Sendra, who then became owner and also postmistress, under the jurisdiction of the Rock Falls Post Office. Earle Stitzel was the oldest resident of Nelson, having lived there since 1894, when he moved from Clinton, Iowa, where he was born.

Woodland Shores and Crombie's Trailer Court are two adjoining areas. Nelson is quite a little Village, where nothing much really happens. The railroad continues to keep the Village going and tourists and out-of-state residents find Nelson a nice place in which to relax.

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