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Valentin Clarens Nilsson (Wallentin Clarence Nelson)
Born: 12 April 1893 in Gråmanstorp, Sweden (Klippan)
Baptized: 22 May 1893 (Minister, Tröst. Stood up: Johanna Peterson with husband Peter Olson from Klippan. Nils Person was a witness.)
Died: 7 November 1979 at Crystal Pines in Crystal Lake, Il.
Father: Olof Nilsson
Mother: Ottilia Wilhelmina Rosalie Carlsson
Married: Elin Katarina Louisa Ericsson (Karin Nelson) in Chicago, Il. ca. 1926
Children: Mona Nelson
Other Pictures: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5

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Clarence was born in Gråmanstorp, Sweden. He had 2 brothers, Eugen Ossian, Verner Napoleon, and three sisters, Linda, Ester Elisabeth, and Rosalie Eugenia. He worked at Klippan’s Finpapersbruk (Klippan's Fine Paper Factory) with his father Olof until he emigrated to the U.S.A. in 1917. He travelled in the late spring of 1917 to Chicago, Il. where his brother Verner, Napoleon was living after his recent emigration. I'm not sure exactly at what point Clarence changed his name, maybe it was at Ellis Island. But, it was changed from Valentin Clarens Nilsson to Wallentin Clarence Nelson. Clarence Worked as a carpenter in the Carpenters and Joiners of America Local 62 in Chicago for over 50 years. He retired in 1967. Werner was a carpenter as well and may have helped Clarence find work initially. Clarence received his Certificate of Naturalization 12 March 1925. He married shortly after in 1926 to Elin Katarina Louisa Ericsson (Karin Nelson), had a child (Mona) in 1928. After retiring Clarence bought a house in Fox River Grove, Il. in which the Reynolds family also lived. Clarence died in the Crystal Pines Nursing Home after going there to recover from a hip injury late in 1979.

Date of arrival at Ellis Island: May 17, 1917 on the ship: Oscar II. It embarked from Copenhagen City, Copenhagen, Denmark