Phelps County

My great great grandfather, Nelson Hawkins Wahlquist was born 15 Feb 1827 in Bjorsater, of Ostergotland, Sweden,
and died 08 Aug 1894 in Bois City, Arkansas, at home of son William H. V. Wahlquist.
He married (1) CATHERINE A. SHELTON 11 Nov 1866 in M.E. Church, Rolla, Phelps County, Missouri,
daughter of HENRY SHELTON and PRECIOUS SHELTON. She was born 10 May 1849 in Arkansas,
and died Abt. 1872 in Rolla, Phelps County, Missouri.
He married (2) RUTH O. HARP 13 Sep 1873 in Rolla, Phelps County, Missouri, daughter of THOMAS HARP and ABIGAIL HARP.
She was born Abt. 1833 in Bohannon Mt., AR, and died Abt. 1908.

In the 1870 Census, Pettis County, Sedalia, MO, Nils H. Wahlquist, age 42, Catherine, age 21, Annie, age 2, William, age 1.,

After Catherine Shelton died, Nelson had four children to raise and advertised for a wife to help care for the children.
The next year he married Ruth O. Harp. The story goes that a friend introduced them.
Ruth was working in Springfield, Missouri, at the time.

In the 1880 Census, Carroll County, Eureka Springs, Arkansas, N.H. Wahlquist, age 52, Ruth, wife, age 47, William H., age 13, George W, age 10, Charles N., age 8.
A border, Minnie Bohannon, age 74, widow with "sore eyes." Nelson is said to have had rheumatism.,

Nelson was an invalid for fifteen years before his death at his son's home (William HV) where he had been living for two years.
Nelson was the younger of two sons and was trained to be a tailor.
Early records in the US indicate his name as Nils Walquist.

OBITUARY -- N. H. WAHLQUIST DEAD. He passed away at exactly 4:45 last Sunday morning, father of the junior editor of the paper.
N.H. Wahlquist, aged 67 years 5 months and 24 days, died last Sunday morning at the residence of his oldest son, W. H. V. Wahlquist in Boice City.
The cause of his death was general debility, he having been an invalid for over 15 years.
Mr. Wahlquist was born in Sweden in 1827, came to America in 1862 and settled at Rolla, Mo. where he married shortly afterwards Miss Catherine Shelton.
Five years afterwards she died leaving four children all of whom are still living.
Mrs. G. W. Cannaday, Huntsville, Ark., Charlie at Decatur, Ill. and George at Stoltz Texas county, Mo.
After the death of his wife Mr. Wahlquist left Rolla and went to Huntsville, Ark., from thence to Eureka Springs
and finally to St. Louis where he remained until two years ago when his son, H. H. V. Wahlquist induced him to come here
where he might administer to his father's wants during his declining years.
For forty years he was a consistent member of the Lutheran church and a good man and despite his feebled condition
made many friends here who deeply regret his loss. -- END OF OBIT.

More About NELSON HAWKINS WAHLQUIST:
Burial: Bois City, Arkansas (near Mammoth Spring, now called Old Town)
Census: Early records indicate name as Nils Walquist
Emigration: Abt. 1862, Into USA from Sweden
Medical Information: Afflicted with Rheumatism.

Notes for CATHERINE A. SHELTON:
Henrietta Marianna was five when her mother died. This would make it late in 1872.
Burial: Rolla, MO, Cemetery not found at this time
Cause of Death: Hemorrhage from lifting a heavy pot shortly after the birth of Charles Washburn.

More About NELSON WAHLQUIST and CATHERINE SHELTON:
Marriage: 11 Nov 1866, M.E. Church, Rolla, Phelps County, Missouri

Notes for RUTH O. HARP:
From Obituary of Ruth Harp -- Aged 75, made home in Huntsville, AR, with Mr. & Mrs William Geron Cannaday (Henrietta Marianna)
for the past 12 years, died Monday after a brief illness.

OBITUARY -- Mrs. Ruth Wahlquist, age 75 years, who has made her home in this city with Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Cannaday
the past twelve years, died Monday after a brief illness and her remains were interred in the Huntsville cemetery, Tuesday,
Rev. A. N. Wylie conducting the funeral services. The deceased, whose maiden name was Harp, was the stepmother of Mrs. Cannaday.
Mr. Cannaday and family request the Democrat to express their thanks to the friends who assisted them during the sickness
and death of the old lady. -- END OF OBIT.

More About RUTH O. HARP:
Burial: HSV Cemetery, Huntsville, Madison, Arkansas

More About NELSON WAHLQUIST and RUTH HARP:
Marriage: 13 Sep 1873, Rolla, Phelps County, Missouri

Children of NELSON WAHLQUIST and CATHERINE SHELTON are:
2. i. HENRIETTA MARIANNA2 WAHLQUIST, b. 27 Aug 1867, Rolla, Phelps County, Missouri; d. 30 Apr 1951, Huntsville, Madison County, Arkansas.
3. ii. WILLIAM HENRY VALENTINE WAHLQUIST, b. 15 Feb 1869, Sedalia, Missouri; d. 12 Sep 1955, Mammoth Spring, Fulton County, Arkansas.
4. iii. GEORGE WASHINGTON WAHLQUIST, b. 14 Nov 1870, Rolla, Phelps County, Missouri; d. 14 Apr 1956, Mountain View, Arkansas.
5. iv. CHARLES WASHBURN WAHLQUIST, b. 1872, Rolla, Phelps County, Missouri; d. Texas.