03/16/2025
This photo comes from Bob Smith. Driving on South Rd to Flat Roof Mill Rd we have all gone by this little building and wondered what was the story. Well, here is a bit of its history from 1911 until 1931 this was the office of the Nelson Manufacturing Company. They made pails, something that Swanzey was known for back in the day. This building was removed recently and I believe the Town has purchased the property. If that is not correct Someone can let me know. Now if you want to know a little about Edward Almon Nelson, here is a bit, well a lot from his obituary. He was quite a guy:
Edward A Nelson was a well-known manufacturer and was at one time a World champion bicycle rider. Edward A Nelson, 58, well known resident of Cheshire County, died suddenly in his home in Swanzey about midnight. He was a pail manufacturer in Swanzey for the past 20 years. Funeral services will be held in the church in Swanzey Center. Edward Almon Nelson was born in West Springfield. MA January 4, 1873, a son of Charles A Nelson and Lavilla M (Horne) Nelson. During the first year of his life his parents moved to Worcester, MA and he attended schools in that city. He later returned to Springfield, where he attended the Springfield schools. After completing his high school course, he was employed in a hardware store for a year. About that time bicycling was popular and many tournaments were conducted in which “Eddie,” as he was known in the bike races, participated. On August 14, 1891, he won a 14-mile road race in Springfield, leading a field of 40 riders, finishing five minutes ahead of the second man to finish. He continued his bicycle racing in Massachusetts and Connecticut during 1891 through 1893 competing in tournaments throughout the eastern part of the United States, winning many championships and establishing world’s records events of various distances, in competition and against time. He won the half mile and the two-mile Massachusetts’ state championship races in 1893 and became quarter mile champion of the world in a race in Hartford, Ct on July 4, 1893. He held 27 state, national and world records. He was regarded as one of the most popular and fastest bicycle riders in the world. In 1894 he spent five months racing in England, Ireland, France and Austria. While competing in Paris he won the amateur championship of Europe. In 1895 Mr Nelson became a junior member of the Hendee and Nelson Manufacturing Company in Springfield, manufacturing bicycles. In 1897 Mr. Nelson established a wholesale and retail bicycle and sporting goods business of his own and in 1906 he added automobiles to this business. He built this business to be one of the largest and most successful businesses of its kind in western New England. He sold this business December 1, 1911. Earlier that year he had purchased a woodenware business, manufacturing pails in Swanzey. NH, where he had enjoyed a summer home for many years. The Swanzey plant was known as the Nelson Manufacturing Company and its products were favorably known throughout the United States. This factory was destroyed by fire in 1924, but Mr. Nelson rebuilt and continued the business. Edward married Emma Louise Holbrook, a daughter of Clark B Holbrook and Mary Louise (Parker)Holbrook on June 5, 1895. They had one son William H Nelson.
