EVENTS: Nelson reunion

Palermo Christian Church (photo from the church’s Facebook page)

Submitted by Jo Jo Nelson

Do you know a Nelson?

The 100th Nelson Reunion of Erastus and Eliza Nelson descendents will be held on August 9th at the Palermo Christian Church.

The first Nelson Family Reunion was hosted by Erastus and Eliza’s 6th child Frank Miles Nelson in 1925. Frank and his wife, Ellen (right from Ireland) owned a farm on the Western Ridge Road in Palermo, Maine. Frank had built a new garage. When he proudly showed his mother, Ella said, “Frank, before you get this sweet smelling place in use, let us get the family together here to eat a meal.” This was the start of a 100 year tradition. For years the reunion had a hot meal until it got to be a lot of work, then it was changed to a pot luck.

Frank’s brother (the 7th child) Rodney and his wife, Julia, also settled in Palermo. In 1914 Rodney passed away due to a hay accident leaving his wife with six children. The two boys, Oscar (16 years old and Jaspar (13 years old) continued working the farm on North Palermo Road, Palermo, Maine. Seven years later Oscar would leave to start his own farm in Albion.

Over the years Oscar gradually acquired more and more acreage until he was operating three adjacent farms with the help of his son Paul. Oscar had about 60 head of stock and was selling milk when Paul enlisted in the Army. Oscar sold off some of the land and stock to what he could manage alone. Paul spent five years in the Army during World War II. In 1947 Paul married Erika Shanid in Germany.

Paul and Erika settled in Albion and raised there three children, Gerald, Christa, and Stephen. Christa married Arvid Bumps, son of Bernard and Hattie Bumps, of China. They have two children Heidi and Trever. Do you know them?

Christa’s brother Stephen and his wife Sonia (the daughter of Arthur and Madeleine Beldon, of Palermo) continue to farm the land where his father once farmed. Paul would help out on the farm until his death. Steve and Sonia are parents to Ricky, Rusty and Darren Nelson. Do you know them?

Look for the Nelson’s float in the Palermo Day’s Parade (jump on and join us). After the parade the Nelsons will host the 100th Nelson Family Reunion, at the Palermo Christian Church, with a catered luncheon at noon, and business meeting at 1p.m. All Nelsons are welcome to join!

Story from the Nelson Family Reunion book by Eva Chamberlain and updated by Cheryl Beldon.