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Daniel Bastian Nelson Collection, 1898-1919

 Collection
Identifier: University Historical Collection 356

Content Description

Collection of photographs taken at the turn of the century by Daniel Nelson in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the Chippewa Valley, and Madison, Wisconsin. Includes 415 glass plate negatives and photographic prints with available digital surrogates. Two books published in 2011 and 2012 by Nelson’s grandson Ron Nelson are located in the Special Collections local history collection, Daniel Bastian Nelson: Photographer and Daniel Bastian Nelson: Encore. The books highlight Nelson’s photographs and provide extra information about Nelson and the photographs. Inside the book jackets is written that the books are “published for the enjoyment of his descendants, relatives and friends as part of the preservation of the Nelson Family heritage.”

Dates

  • Creation: 1898-1919

Creator

Access Restrictions

Collection is open to the public.

Use Restrictions

Researchers are responsible for using in accordance with 17 U.S.C. Copyright not owned by the University of Wisconsin – Eau Claire.

Biographical/Historical Note

Daniel Bastian Nelson was born on May 10, 1874, in Norway to Bastian and Giertrud Nelson. He had five siblings: Emma, Anna, Nelson, Louis, and John. In the spring of 1880 at the age of six, the family immigrated to the United States. Daniel Nelson was a carpenter by trade in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. At one time he worked for the Hoeppner-Bartlett Construction Company. In 1907, Daniel married Agnes Higbee. They had four children: George, Robert, Dorothy and John. The family lived at 826 Menomonie Street, south of Randall Park. Daniel Nelson began capturing his images in 1898 using a Magazine Cyclone 3 camera that he bought for ten dollars. Images captured are largely informal portraits. The photographs were taken in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the surrounding Chippewa Valley, and Madison, Wisconsin.

Extent

2.4 Linear Feet (4 card file boxes: 415 glass plate negatives and photographic prints)

Language of Materials

English

Summary

A collection of photographs taken by Daniel Bastian Nelson from 1898-1919 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, the surrounding Chippewa Valley, and Madison, Wisconsin. The photographs were taken using a Magazine Cyclone 3 camera and the negatives are on glass plates sizing 3 ¼”x4 ¼” and 4”x5”. The photographs are more informal than traditional studio portraiture of the era, documenting the lifestyle of the era and portraying the subjects in more casual poses than traditional portraiture.

Acquisition Information

Donated to the Special Collections Department, William D. McIntyre Library, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire by Mr. Ron Nelson on October 7, 2014.

Accession Number

15-045

Related Materials

Daniel Bastian Nelson: Photographer, by Ron Nelson, 2011 (Archives Local History, call #: F582 .N45 2011)

Daniel Bastian Nelson: Encore, by Ron Nelson, 2012 (Archives Local History, call #: F582 .N452 2012)

Reference Code

UHC356

Processing Note

Processed by Danica Seyfert in April 2015.

Status
Published
Author
Julie Hatfield
Date
June 12, 2024
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and Archives, McIntyre Library, UW-Eau Claire Repository

Contact:
Special Collections and Archives, McIntyre Library
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
103 Garfield Avenue
Eau Claire WI 54701 United States
715-836-2739