Nelson, Fred

Fred Nelson was born near Utica, New York, on August 8, 1866, to Danish immigrants John and Christine Steck Nelson. After living in St. Ansgar, Iowa, and Clitherall, Minnesota, he moved to Oleander, Fresno County, California, in 1885 to join his brother Charles. He married Mattie Donahoo in 1896, started his career leasing the D. W. Parkhurst ranch near Fowler, and eventually became a prominent local fruit packer by founding the Fowler Fruit Company.

In addition to his agricultural success, Fred became a major business and financial leader in Fresno County. He organized the Fowler National Bank in 1912, later becoming president of the consolidated First National Bank of Fowler and vice president of the Growers National Bank of Fresno. He served as Fowler first Mayor after leading its 1905 incorporation, developed properties like the Sun Maid Ranch between Reedley and Dinuba, and later retired to Fresno at 619 North Van Ness Avenue.