Background
He was born near Buffalo Lake, Minnesota to Danish parents.
He was born near Buffalo Lake, Minnesota to Danish parents.
Nelsen attended elementary school in Brownton, Minnesota, and graduated from Brownton High School in 1923.
In 1924 he began operation of his 280-acre diversified farm at Hutchinson, McLeod County. He was elected the 34th Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota in 1952. He served less than one year (January 5, 1953- May 1, 1953).
He resigned to become administrator of the Rural Electrification Administration Program, in Washington, District of Columbia, 1953–1956.
He was elected as a Republican to the United States House of Representatives in 1958 and served in Congress. From January 3, 1959 – December 31, 1974 in the 86th, 87th, 88th, 89th, 90th, 91st, 92nd, and 93rd congresses.
He was a member of the Minnesota Senate, 1935–1949. Delegate to the 1948 Republican National Convention and 1952 Republican National Convention.