Lorenzo D. Nellis, a substantial farmer of Lincoln Township, was born in Ontario, October 28, 1844, the son of Benjamin Nellis, who was born in New York State, of Mohawk Dutch descent. He was married there to Mary Bartlett, who was from one of the oldest families of America. Mr. and Mrs. Nellis were the parents of nine children: George S., Myron (deceased young), Orrin, Lysander, Lorenzo D., Mary J., Elizabeth E., and Sarah A. The father moved to Ontario and became a farmer, and died there at the age of seventy-three years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Nellis were members of the Methodist Church.

Lorenzo D. Nellis, our subject, learned the trade of harness-maker in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he remained until about eighteen years of age. He worked at his trade about ten years in Ypsilanti and Grass Lake, Michigan, and Burlington, Iowa, and also ran a shop for himself in Cairo, Iowa, for about five years. In 1871 Mr. Nellis settled in Cass County, where he lived about six years; in 1877 he came to Pottawattamie County, and in 1879 bought his present farm, then consisting of eighty acres, which, by energy and industry, he has improved, and to which he has wisely added until he now owns 160 acres of fine farm land. Both himself and wife are members of the Christian Church, and he has taken an active interest in the schools. In politics he is a Republican, and is a man who stands high in this township. His children descend on both sides from pioneer American stock, of which there is no better, and they should take and honest pride in the sterling ancestry from which they sprung.

Mr. Nellis was married in Iowa, to Mary J. Marshall, daughter of Joshua and Euphemia (Marlow) Marshall. The father was born in Virginia, and went to Ohio when a boy of ten years with his father, John Marshall, who was one of the pioneers of Clark County, Ohio. The Marshalls were of Irish descent, and the Marlows of German descent. Joshua Marshall was the father of nine children: Robert, Jennie, Mary J., William, Anna A., Charles W., Almina and Joseph H. Mr. Marshall moved to Iowa and settled in Louisa County, where he was one of the pioneers. He was a comfortable farmer, and died two years after coming to this State, in 1859. He was a member of the Methodist Church, and a man who was respected by all. To Mr. and Mrs. Nellis have been born three children: Mary E., born January 27, 1872; Maud A., deceased in infancy, and Charles B., born February 23, 1876.