On Tuesday, June 14, 2016., Morris Nelson, age 95, passed away at his home in Altona, IL. The son of a Swedish immigrant and 100% Swedish, Morris lived on the former Colony farm of New Providence. Besides farming livestock and/or grain his whole life, he spent 36 years with the Farm Bureau at the county, state, and national level. This led to work on corporate boards, including that of Prairie Farms Dairy, named by Fortune Magazine as one of the 500 best-managed companies in the country, and Growmark, currently the largest farm co-operative in the state. Along the way, Morris was appointed to state positions, established a trust company, registered as a lobbyist, and worked as a consultant for the Illinois EPA. When he retired in 1985, he resigned from 17 boards and immediately began serving on the BHHA board, including two terms as president. He was dedicated to preserving Bishop Hill Colony history, with the town clock being his pride and joy. You could depend on Morris to come in every Thursday morning on Volunteer Day to help out any way he can. Morris was not just a BHHA volunteer and board member but most importantly, he was a good friend. He will be missed.
In the photograph, Morris is on the far right.
News & Events
