San
Joaquin County
Biographies
NELSON S. DWELLY
A champion of progress and
improvement may be found in Nelson S. Dwelly, whose record as a member of the
board of trustees since 1914 and as president of the board since 1916 has been
a potent factor in the development of Tracy and her environs. He was born near Waukegan, Illinois, on
December 27, 1873 and when six years of age was taken by his parents to Topeka,
Kansas. He is the son of Charles H. and
Anna (Condel) Dwelly, his
father being a machinist employed in the shops of the Santa Fe Railroad at
Topeka. They were the parents of five
children, four of whom reside in Kansas.
Both parents are deceased.
Nelson S. received his first
schooling in the public schools of Topeka, Kansas, and then served an
apprenticeship, with two of his brothers, in the Santa Fe Railroad shops there;
after completing his apprenticeship, he chose the air brakes department. In 1891 he was advanced to the position of
foreman and remained there until 1900, when he located in Richmond, California,
and became connected with the Northern Division of the Santa Fe, remaining
there for eight months. In 1901 he
accepted a responsible position with the Southern Pacific Railroad at Rocklin,
California, working for two years in the general machine shop; he worked in
Oakland for seven years, following his trade, and also for a few months at Port
Costa. About the time of his removal to
Tracy, the Southern Pacific Railroad Company consolidated two departments, and
Mr. Dwelly was put in charge of the roundhouse, and for several months
supervised forty men. Leaving the employ
of the railroad company, for two years he successfully conducted the West Side
Garage on the Lincoln Highway, and when he disposed of it received a good profit. Mr. Dwelly is the owner of extensive realty
holdings in Tracy; he has erected a fine garage building at Eleventh and Windler, which is leased to the Atlas Garage.
The marriage of Mr. Dwelly occurred
in Topeka, Kansas, in 1898 and united him with Miss Julia Boyer, a native of
New York, and they are the parents of three children: Elizabeth, Nelson J. and Anna Bell. Fraternally he is a member of the Masons and
Knights of Pythias of Tracy, and politically is a staunch Republican. His influence and support can be counted upon
for all movements intended for advancement of this portion of California and
his services as mayor of Tracy have assured him popularity and esteem
throughout the county.
Transcribed by V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Pages
1373. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2011 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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