Private Finn Nelson was born on August 5th 1880 in Wisconsin. He volunteered for military service and was part of the U.S. Army’s 16th infantry. He was killed in action on July 22, 1918 while fighting in World War 1, according to a death notice received on August 14, 1918 at 3:20 p.m. The message stated, “Private Finn Nelson, of Bristow, was killed in France, July 22 from wounds received in action.”

According to 16th Infantry records he was assigned to a machine gun company. Infantry Regiment records also show that Private Finn Nelson was cited for "gallantry in action" by the following order: HQ, 1st Division, 1 January 1920, for actions in the Montdidier-Noyon, Aisne-Marne, St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne Campaigns.

The Bristow, Nebraska American Legion Post #76 is named for him.  He is buried in the Ainse-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France in Plot B Row 6 Grave 5.

Source;  Find a Grave CWGC/ABMC

Special thanks to - Molly Beumee

Special thanks to Steven E. Clay, President 16th Infantry Regiment Association

Death Notice: August 15, 1918

Private Finn Nelson, of Bristow, was killed in France, July 22, according to a telegram received by his brother, N. P. Nelson, of Bristow. He enlisted at the beginning of the war and has been in France over a year. The Butte Home Guards will go to Bristow Sunday to attend the memorial exercise in honor of Boyd County’s first fallen soldier.

(Reprinted with permission from the Butte Gazette)

August 22, 1918

According to a telegram received by his brother, N.P. Nelson, of Bristow, he enlisted at the beginning of the war and had been in France over a year.  The Butte Home Guards went to Bristow Sunday to attend the memorial exercise in honor of Boyd County's first fallen soldier.

(Reprinted with permission from the Butte Gazette)

American Legion Finn L. Nelson Post #76

            The Bristow Enterprise of 1919 noted that there would be a meeting for the purpose of organizing a local post on Sept. 10, 1919: “They will need a minimum of 15 members, the dues will be 50 cents of state and national and this will include a copy of American Legion Weekly. All ex-service men are urged to attend.

(Bristow Centennial History book)

Memorial Service For Our First Soldier Dead:

            Memorial services were held at Bristow last Sunday morning, in tribute to Private Finn Nelson, who is Boyd County’s first soldier boy to give up his life on the battle fields of France. The services were attended by the Home Guards from over the county, and a large number or friends to the number of probably 500. The services were held in the open at the sive, and were very impressive, and if there were any present who did not fully realize that we are in war, it certainly was brought home to them that war existed and that it was entering our very homes. Rev. Lieut.  Fagan delivered a splendid sermon and spoke very plain on matters confronting us today. He paid high tribute to Finn Nelson, who has the honor of being the county’s first volunteer soldier, and her first casualty.

(Spencer Advocate)