Frederick Seth Nelson is known in business circles as the New Haven agent for the National Cash Register Company. In political circles, too, he has a wide acquaintance and wields considerable influence over political thought and action.

He was born in Guilford, Maine, in 1852, a son of A. J. and Annis (Dunning) Nelson. The Nelson family is one of the oldest in the United States. Two brothers, Thomas and Brewster Nelson came to America in 1631, landed at Essex, Massachusetts, and joined the Plymouth colony. Both are buried in the old cemetery at Plymouth. On the maternal side Mr. Nelson is also descended from one of the early families of New England, the Dunnings having settled at Brunswick, Maine.

A.T. Nelson was a son of Seth Nelson, was born in New Gloucester. Maine, and removed with his family to Brunswick, Maine, when his son Frederick was three or four years of age and in the public schools of that city the son pursued his education, while later he continued his studies in Brooklin, Maine, to which place the family removed. He was afterward a student in the public schools of China, Maine, and also attended the famous China Academy. His father was a minister and this necessitated the frequent removals of the family, so that Frederick S. Nelson was transferred from school to school. He continued his studies until he reached the age of eighteen years and thus became well qualified for life's practical duties and responsibilities. He was but eighteen years when, in China, Maine, he embarked in the furniture business on his own account. Later he opened a carriage and woodworking shop in Boston, where he continued for eight years. He then turned his attention to the heavy hardware and railway supply business, in which he continuously engaged until 1897, when he entered the employ of the National Cash Register Company as special representative. On the 1st of January, 1907, he was appointed agent in New Haven for the same company and has continuously acted as agent for this company, his service covering a longer period than that of any agent at one place in Connecticut.

Mr. Nelson has been married twice. His present wife was Elizabeth Parker Howard, of Springfield, Massachusetts. He has two children. Fred T., born of his first marriage, is now living at Beverly, Massachusetts. The second son, Vance H., is with his father in the agency of the National Cash Register Company. He married Margaret Dent and they have one child, Margaret.    Vance H. Nelson is a member of the Second Regiment of the Governor's Foot Guard.

Mr. Nelson attends the Methodist Episcopal church and the nature of his interests and activities is further indicated in the fact that he holds membership with the New Haven Yacht Club and with the Republican Club, yachting being his only recreation and of it he is an enthusiastic devotee. He made his initial step toward political activity by becoming president of the Civic Society of Morris Cove, which is the fifteenth ward of New Haven. The people there demanded improvements, notably good roads, and they wished to have the matter in charge of an alert, progressive business man and citizen who could accomplish results. As head of this organization Mr. Nelson came in contact with city officials and politicians. In 1915 his friends asked him to stand for alderman and he consented. He was elected to the position that year and has since been a member of the board of aldermen, in which connection he has made an excellent record. He brings to the discharge of his duties business enterprise, alertness and marked devotion to the public good, and he has done splendid work on the following committees: He is chairman of the committee on streets and squares; is chairman of the special committee on traffic, and is a member of the committee on sewers and sanitation, of the special committee on the coal situation, the special committee on the proposed public market, and others.

He is an independent republican, but in local matters the political party issue is not of paramount importance to him and he gives his aid and influence to the measures and men who best serve the public welfare. He has made an excellent record in his office as alderman and New Haven has profited by his service.