ANDREW JOHN NIELSEN

A.J. Nielsen lived a long, diverse and productive life. Not many other Register pilots changed directions in their lives as frequently or as well as he. He was at one time or another a Methodist preacher, university student, army officer, Chattaqua circuit lecturer, pilot, entrepreneur, lawyer and municipal judge.

Andy Nielsen With Unidentified Autogiro, 1938 (Source: SLU)

 

Andy Nielsen appeared four times in the Parks Airport Register. At left and below, he stands by an unidentified autogiro at Parks Airport sometime during 1938. Faded writing in the upper left corner of the left-hand image reads, "Greetings to Heinie and the gang. Andy Nielsen, San Antonio, Texas." This photograph, and the one below, are from the Saint Louis University Digital Collection (SLU). He was near 49 years old in these photos.

His first visit to East St. Louis was recorded eight years earlier than these photographs, on Monday, July 14, 1930. He was solo in the Stinson SM-7A (S/N 3001) he identified as NC414M. He cited his home base as Omaha, NB and his destination as Detroit, MI.

He landed again a little over a month later with this airplane on Friday, August 30, 1930 12:15PM. This time he identified his home base as Houston, TX and his destination as Wichita, KS.

His third visit was on Wednesday, July 8, 1931. This time he flew NC10178 He did not identify the type. According to an online database, NC10178 was an Aeronca C-2 (S/N 54). He cited his home base as Ft. Worth, TX this time and his destination as San Antonio, TX. Oddly, he identified the airplane as an "Autogiro" in the Register. Aeronca did not manufacture an autogiro.

Andy Nielsen (L) With Unidentified Gentlemen & Autogiro, 1938 (Source: SLU)

 

His final landing at Parks Airport was on Friday, November 13, 1931. Based now at Dallas, TX, he flew an unidentified Travel Air. No purpose was given for any of his flights. Neither do his aircraft appeared in any other Registers or flown by other pilots.

Nielsen was born January 6, 1889 in Omaha, NB. I know little about his early education or life, but he moved to Iowa at about age seven.

He married Emma N. Batcheller on December 11, 1911. He was 23 and she was 24 years old. The Iowa state census for 1915 cited him "at school" at age 26. He had been in Iowa for 19 years. By that time he had graduated high school and completed one year of college.

He was registered for the draft on June 5, 1917 at age 28. He stated on his registration that he had a wife and two small children that were dependent upon him for support. His draft card is below. Notice his occupation expressed as "Minister."

A.J. Nielsen, WWI Draft Registration, June 5, 1917 (Source: ancestry.com)

As with many things, the details are in the fine print. If you look carefully at the diagonal printing at the lower left of this card, the text says, "If person is of African descent, tear off this corner." Some things change; some things remain the same.

He entered the army and experienced an exhilarating series of moves. Records published in the Air Service Journal and the Air Service Orders documented Nielsen's assignment to Rockwell Field, San Diego, CA on August 8, 1918. On September 1918 he was assigned to Post Field, Ft. Sill, OK with a group of 24 other second lieutenants. And to Taliaferro Field, Hicks, TX as reported on October 24, 1918.

He left the service and settled in Pottawattamie County, IA. An online history reported the following at the link.

AVIATION IN POTTAWATTMIE [sic] COUNTY Andrew J. Nielsen [known as Andy] pioneered aviation in this area, bringing the first airplane to Pottawattamie County. After being a flyer in World War I and being desirous of promoting aviation, in the spring of 1919 he bought a war surplus plane from the Canadian Government. He first considered Omaha, as he was asked to bring the plane there, but decided on Council Bluffs. He rented pasture land near Lake Manawa, where Lakeview school is presently located. He built a hanger to house the Curtis training plane and then added a small building as an office. The venture was incorporated as Nielsen Aero Company. Many people in the community took their first airplane ride at a cost of $25.00 for a trip over the city. He also trained a few students and sold some planes. Also, Mr. Nielsen was the first to fly an airplane over the Chautauqua Circuit, displaying air stunts in the afternoon and lecturing at night about air navigation before huge crowds under the big tents. Also, he was in great demand by numerous County Fair Boards throughout the middle west to exhibit his dare devil stunts to the multitude at the fairs. As more interest developed in flying and as there was a rapid change in motors and style of planes, Mr. Nielsen closed out his place in Council Bluffs and moved to Omaha, Nebraska in 1926 where he set up the Omaha Airways.

 

Unidentified Autogiro, Ca. 1930 (Source: Link)

 

Regarding Omaha Airways, the link exhibits "12 photographs showing various airplanes and airplane hangars. [It] Includes airplanes of Omaha Airways, Inc. and the Omaha Legion Airport." The collection is from the Council Bluffs Public Library Special Collections, “Omaha Airways, Inc. Series.” 

The fourth photograph down is as at left, showing an autogiro. Compare this aircraft with the two photographs of the autogiro above. I was unable to reveal the registration number with PhotoShop. It is just not readable.

Examine, also, the tenth photograph down the page. The gentleman in the fedora and dark suit resembles Nielsen. Compare his ears, nose and chin with the photographs of Nielsen below.

A.J. Nielsen, Lyceum, May 1921 (Source: Woodling)

 

The 1920 U.S. Census placed Nielsen at age 31 living with his wife, Emma (31) at 809 North 39th Street, Omaha, NB. On Google Earth today, this address is occupied by a small, white, 2-storey clapboard home with a red asphalt shingle roof. It sits among other, similar homes. Living with them was their daughter Bertha (7; 1912-?) and son Paul (4; 1915-1993), as well as five roomers ranging in ages from 5-40 years. Nielsen's occupation was reported as "Aviator" for an "Aeroplane Company." I do not know which company. His occupation was corroborated by an advertisement in The Lyceum magazine, May, 1921, left, wherein he was identified as a public speaker and vice president of "a large aviation company." A similar article had appeared in The Lyceum a year earlier.

Lincoln Evening Journal (NB), April 13, 1921 (Source: newspapers.com)

 

 

Nielsen has a limited coverage in newspapers of the time. The earliest article I found was from the Lincoln Evening Journal (NB), April 13, 1921, which involved a barnstorming-type flight as described at left.

About a month later, another article from the Lincoln Star (NB), May 5, 1921 cited Nielsen's participation in the funeral procession for a well-known local air mail pilot, J.T. Christensen. Nielsen was an identified in the article as an "airman pallbearer," who had served in the air mail and/or military service with Christensen.

 

In December 1921, Nielsen's wife filed for divorce. She demanded child custody and $150 per month alimony to support her and their two children, Bertha E. (now 9) and Paul E. (6).

Lincoln Journal-Star, October 3, 1922 (Source: newspapers.com)

 

Four months later, his wife and he appeared in court after she filed suit for non-support. As reported in the Lincoln Journal-Star (NB), April 20, 1922, Mrs. Nielsen stated, "He is not the same man I married.... He once was a God-fearing minister. Now he has joined the scramble for money." The report states that Nielsen, "... was a Methodist minister when he entered the army aviation corps." She complained that he had a dispute with members of his church which, "...prompted him to doff the ministerial cloth to don the goggles and helmet." The article also reported that Nielsen was going to law school. Nielson, "... charged his wife is a religious fanatic."

Lincoln Evening Journal (NB), October 31, 1927 (Source: newspapers.com)

 

 

Six months later, on October 3, 1922, he was back in court pleading for an adjustment of his alimony responsibility, right, from the Lincoln Journal-Star. I found no other articles that reported a resolution of their conflict. They were divorced, however, and the 1925 Iowa census placed him at age 36 divorced and living with his mother (age 70 and widowed) in Council Bluffs.

Nielsen had completed law school and was admitted to the Nebraska bar in 1925. He continued flying, too, and was cited in a couple of news articles such as the one at left from the Lincoln Evening Journal (NB) for October 31, 1927.

Emma Batcheller, Grave Marker, 1962 (Source: ancestry.com)

 

The 1930 Census found Nielsen living as a lodger in Omaha. His occupation was coded as "Lawyer." The same Census placed Emma (42) living in Omaha with Bertha (17) and Paul (14) at 1320 North 41st Avenue. She owned the home, which the Census valued at $3,000. Her occupation was coded as "Corsetiere Lady" in a "Factory." Bertha was working and coded as a "Mail Clerk" for a "Department Store." Emma died in Los Angeles, CA in 1962. Her grave marker is at right.

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Lincoln Evening Journal (NB), September 12, 1929 (Source: newspapers.com)

 

Several articles reported his participation in the Nebraska Air Tour. About a year before his first visit at Parks Airport, Nielsen flew in the Nebraska Air Tour of 1929, as reported in the Lincoln Evening Journal (NB), September 12, 1929, right. He is cited in the second paragraph. The Nebraska Air Tour was first held during the summers of 1929 through 1931, then not again until 1953. An article describing the 1929 Tour appeared in Nebraska History 66 (1985): 7-27. A summary is below. I found no articles reporting his participation in the 1930 or 1931 Tours.

Article Summary: Nebraska‟s first air tour attracted public attention and led to aviation development. A single serious accident marred the technical success of the tour, which provided important commercial benefits for its sponsors. Stops on the Air Tour: Auburn, Beatrice, Falls City, Lincoln, Fremont, Norfolk, Columbus, York, Grand Island, Kearney, Broken Bow, North Platte, McCook, Holdrege, Hastings, Omaha Tour Airplane Models: Stinson-Detroiter, Cessna Cantilever, Cutisss Robin, Travelair, Ford Trimotor, Waco biplane Tour Pilots: Orville Haines, F D (Chief) Bowhan, Andrew Risser, Lawrence Enzminger, Clyde Ice, Bill Ong, Myron Taylor, R T Simmons, Eddie Moore, Andrew Nielsen, Jack Kenwood, Frank Cropsey [killed]

News articles about Nielsen's flying experiences dried up after 1929 or so. I do not know if he ceased flying, or just stopped performing newsworthy flights. In 1933 he began a law practice in Council Bluffs, IA, where he remained most of the rest of his life.

 

Nielsen Portrait, Date Unk (Source: ancestry.com)

 

 

Party Affiliation: Republican Assemblies Served: House: 49 (1941)  50 (1943)  51 (1945) - 52 (1947) Home County: Pottawattamie

He married Catherine Peet in 1940. The 1943 city directory for Desmoines, IA cited him living with Catherine at 208 11th Street. His occupation was recorded as "Legislator." Indeed, he was an Iowa state representative from 1941 to 1947, as indicated in the box at right. Portrait, left, is probably from his time as a legislator..

During WWII most men were registered for the draft, and Nielsen was no different. His 1942 draft registration card from Council Bluffs, IA is below, dated April 27, 1942. The back of this card described him as 5 feet eight inches and 160 pounds. He had brown eyes, brown hair and ruddy complexion at 53 years old.

A.J. Nielsen, WWII Draft Registration, 1942 (Source: ancestry.com)

After the Iowa state legislature, he moved into law practice again. The 1950 city directory for Council Bluffs, IA listed Andrew J. Nielsen as a lawyer married to Catherine. The 1952, 1955-56 & 1958-59 Council Bluffs directories listed him as a municipal court judge.

Nielsen flew West July 13, 1986 at Council Bluffs. He was 97 years old. His obituary appears online at the link, stated as follows. We learn he retired from the bench in 1966.

Andrew J. Nielsen Andrew J. Nielsen, 97, a former state legislator and municipal judge, died at Saturday at a local care center. Mr. Nielsen was born in Omaha. His family moved to Persia when he was a child. He was a Methodist pastor until entering the service in World War I. During his time in the service, he became involved in aviation. He worked as a pilot and aviation teacher while studying law at Creighton and Omaha universities. He was admitted to the Nebraska bar in 1925. In 1933 he began a law practice in Council Bluffs and later served several terms in the Iowa state legislature. At one time he served as acting city and county attorney. Mr. Nielsen was elected a municipal court judge, retiring in 1966. He was a member of the Offutt chapter of the Retired Officers Association, the American Legion and the 40 & 8, the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the bar association. Mr. Nielsen's survivors include his wife, Catherine Peet Nielsen of Council Bluffs; a son Paul of Los Angeles, CA; and a daughter, Bertha Thompson of Simi Valley, CA. Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday in the Woodring Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dr. James V. Poulsen of Broadway United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Cedar Lawn Cemetery where members of Rainbow Post American Legion will conduct a military rite. [Nonpareil, Council Bluffs, Iowa, published July 13, 1986

 

Nielsen, Date Unknown (Source: link)

 

Catherine Peet Nielson, 1946 (Source: ancestry.com)

 

Upon his passing, the Iowa state legislature commemorated him in a resolution as follows. Refer to the link for citations. The photograph at left, probably from a legislature yearbook, is from the link and shows him probably during the 1940s. His slim, contemporary Web presence is focused mostly on various Iowa legislature logs and older annual conference minutes for the Methodist church. The photograph, right, is of his surviving wife, Catherine Peet Nielsen ca. 1946.

 

 

Mr. Speaker: Your committee, appointed to prepare a suitable resolution commemorating the life, character, and public service of the late Honorable Andrew J. Nielsen begs leave to submit the following Memorial: Andrew J. Nielsen was born January 6, 1889, in Omaha, Nebraska. He married Emma Batchellor [sic] Nielsen, to which union one son and one daughter were born. Having moved to Iowa when he was a child, Andrew J. Nielsen attended Creighton and Omaha Universities; served in the Army during World War I; was a Methodist Minister, a member of the Iowa Bar, a member of the Offutt Chapter of the Retired Officers Association, the American Legion, the 40 & 8, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. After being divorced from his wife, Emma, Mr. Nielsen married Catherine Peet in 1940. Andrew J. Nielsen served as acting City and County Attorney, and was an elected Municipal Court Judge. A Republican, Mr. Nielsen represented Pottawattamie County during the Forty-ninth, Fiftieth, Fiftieth Extra, Fifty-first, Fifty-second and Fifty-second Extra General Assemblies. Andrew Nielsen died July 13, 1986. He is survived by his wife, Catherine Peet Nielsen of Council Bluffs; his son, Paul of Los Angeles, California; and his daughter, Bertha Thompson of Simi Valley, California. Mr. Nielsen was preceded in death by his first wife, Emma, in 1962. Now Therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Seventy-second General Assembly of Iowa, That in the passing of the Honorable Andrew J. Nielsen, the State has lost an honored citizen and a faithful and useful public servant, and the House by this Resolution would express its appreciation of his service. Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution be spread upon the Journal of the House, and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward an enrolled copy to the family of the deceased.

 

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