Mr. Nilsson was born in Sweden, September 19, 1859, a son of Nils and Elna (Knudson) Larson. The father died in Sweden when his son was a lad of but ten years and the mother passed away when he was a youth of only twelve, so that he was early left an orphan. Following his mother's demise he was thrown upon his own resources and from that time forward has been dependent entirely upon individual labor for advancement. Ha was employed at farm work until his eighteenth year, at which time he apprenticed himself to the wagon maker's trade. He finished his apprenticeship in Sweden, where thoroughness is the watchword in every factory. After becoming a master builder of wagons he determined to try his fortune on this side of the Atlantic and in the spring of 1880 sailed for the United States, where his brother, Andrew Nilsson, had located ten years before. The brother had become a resident of Dayton, Washington, in 1877, and in the fall of 1879 he returned to Sweden on a visit. The following spring he again came to the United States and brought with him his younger brother, Lars, and a sister, Sophia, who is now the wife of John Ruply, of Portland, Oregon. Andrew Nilsson had previously established himself in the blacksmithing business in Dayton and on his return, Lars Nilsson entered the brother's shop, adding the wagon making industry to the blacksmithing business. He continued to work for his brother for eleven years and in 1892 they entered into partnership relations, conducting their business under the firm style of Nilsson Brothers for fourteen years. During that period they extended the scope of their interests and added new departments, opening a farm implement store. In 1905 Lars Nilsson purchased his brother's interest in the business and as his trade grew he was forced to give up the blacksmithing shop in order to concentrate his efforts and attention upon the mercantile branch. He also disposed of the machine shop, devoting his entire time to looking after the implement and vehicle business, which was removed to a handsome new brick building erected at the corner of Main and Third streets by Andrew Nilsson. In 1913 Arthur Nilsson became associated with his father in the business and displays marked enterprise in carrying on their interests. Mr. Nilsson has always maintained the highest standards in the line which he handles. For years he has sold the Studebaker vehicles, the Canton plows, Superior drills and the Holt combine and in more recent years he has handled the Studebaker motor car. He also handles engines and pumping outfits and in fact almost everything necessary to the complete equipment of a farm, including a line of power machinery. A local paper said of him: "He is known throughout the county as a conscientious, progressive, accommodating and capable business man and some of his customers have been doing business with him for many years with complete satisfaction to themselves." His brother Andrew died October 22, 1916, in Dayton, at the age of seventy-two years, leaving no family and, according to the terms of his will, our subject is sole executor of the estate and is acting as such without bar or any court proceedings.
On the 10th of May, 1890, Mr. Nilsson was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Stahlberg, a native of Sweden. He went to Sweden in the fall of 1889 and brought his prospective bride to this country with him in the spring of 1890, for having been naturalized in the United States, the laws of Sweden would not permit of his marriage there. To them were born two children: Esther J., who died in 1913, at the age of twenty-two years; and Arthur N., who is connected with his father in business. The wife and mother passed away March 16, 1894, and on Christmas day of 1895 Mr. Nilsson was married to Miss Lydia Stahlberg, a sister of his former wife. There have been two children of this marriage: Andrew L., who is taking a course in electrical engineering in the Washington State College; and Albert E., a lad of ten years, at home.
Mr. Nilsson is prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to Dayton Lodge, No. 26, F. & A. M.; Dayton Chapter, No. 5, R. A. M.; and Washington Commandery, No. 1, K. T., of Walla Walla. He is also a member of Dayton Lodge, No. 3, K. P., which he joined in 1886, and he belongs to Patit Lodge, No. 10, I. O. O. F. He has passed through all of the chairs in these different organizations save the commandery and is a most faithful follower of Masonic teachings, exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft. He and his wife are consistent members of the Congregational church and they enjoy the high regard of all with whom they have been associated because of the many sterling traits which they display. Mr. Nilsson is a self-made man. He borrowed the money from his brother with which to pay his passage to this country and as the years have gone on he has steadily progressed in a business way until he is today one of the most substantial citizens of Dayton. He has ever been watchful of indications pointing to success and has never feared to venture where favoring opportunity has led the way. He has closely studied the market and the public demand in his line and has ever carried a stock that has been able to meet the needs of the most particular. In all his dealings he is thoroughly reliable as well as progressive and his word is considered as good as any bond solemnized by signature or seal.
OLIVER DeWITT.
On the 4th of July, 1864, Oliver DeWitt arrived in Walla Walla, a young man of twenty years, with twenty-three cents in his pocket, representing his entire capital. Today he is the owner of valuable farming property, from which he derives a gratifying annual rental that supplies him with all of the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. The intervening period was at the outset a struggle for existence but since then, step by step, he has steadily progressed and his record indicates clearly what may be accomplished when there is a will to dare and to do. Never afraid of hard work, he has also displayed sound business judgment in the management of his interests.
Mr. DeWitt was born in Knox county, Ohio, on the 7th of January, 1844, a son of David H. and Rachel (Starner) DeWitt, who removed from Ohio to Iowa in 1850, settling in Mahaska county near Oskaloosa, where they remained until called to their final rest.
Oliver DeWitt had very limited educational opportunities. In fact he is a self-educated as well as self-made man and many of his most valuable lessons have been gleaned from the school of experience. On reaching his twentieth year, in 1864, he decided to leave home and seek his fortune in the far west. Accordingly he bade adieu to friends and family and crossed the plains with an ox team to Boise City, Idaho, and from there made the journey to Walla Walla on foot, arriving as previously stated on the 4th of July, with twenty-three cents as his entire capital. The following day he secured employment with a farmer to pull onions. He worked for wages that fall and winter and in 1865 he engaged in teaming and packing, which business he followed for about ten years. He then became actively engaged in the live stock business, settling four miles northeast of Walla Walla. In 1877 he purchased two hundred and forty acres of land on Dry creek, nine miles northeast of Walla Walla, and taking up his abode upon that place, turned his attention to general farming. He subsequently increased his holdings to four hundred and fifty acres, which he still owns. For the past twenty years or more he has spent the winter seasons in Walla Walla in order to give his children the advantages of the city schools. The summer months were largely spent upon the home farm but for three years he has remained steadily in Walla Walla, renting his farm to others. He belongs to the Farmers Union and is one of the directors of the Farmers Union Warehouse Company.