Sigurd Hans Nelson was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on September 6, 1887, the son of Hans and Signe Nelson. Both parents were natives of Denmark, and Hans was employed as a cabinetmaker. Other children in the family were Duda, Sophia, Martha and Carle.
Sigurd married Carrie S. Bancroft on November 15, 1911, in Muskegon, Michigan. At least through 1920 the couple lived in Muskegon, where Sigurd worked at various jobs as a laborer, a cabinetmaker, and a driver for the Muskegon Laundry. 1930 found them living in Manhatten, NY where he worked as a chauffer. He was listed in the 1935 Miami, FL City Directory as a "driver", and by 1940 was back in New York City again as a chauffer. The advent of WWII required that Sigurd register for the draft. At that time (1942) he was living on 75th Street in NYC.
Sigurd Nelson died at the Metropolitan Jewish Geriatric Center on November 21, 1981, at the age of 94. He was buried on Hart Island.
Sources: Social Security Death Index; Michigan Marriage Records, 1867-1952; WWII Draft Registration Cards, 1942; U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989; 1900, 1920, 1930, and 1940 U.S. Federal Censuses.