Mississippi State University - Reveille Yearbook (Starkville, MS)

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HECTOR WILLIAM NELSON ■ -. V

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Hector William Nelson Graduate of Textiles. • 111 honored subject ol this brief biographical sketch was born in Preston, m «| Lancashire, England, March 24, 1869. He is a member of the illustrious k J Nelson family of England and is a near relative of Britain ' s naval hero, Lord Nelson. Imbued with the family spirit, he desired to enter the Naval Academy at an early age, but circumstances were such that his ambition was impossible of attainment. Having an intense love for machinery, and taking the advice oi a Sunday school teacher, he entered the Harris Textile Institute. On completing the course in cotton manufacturing, he chose the cotton mill as a life work. The success attained is evidenced by the fact that in the mill where he worked he made a record for accuracy and speed in work that has never been equalled. Although he held a position not often attained by one so young, yet his strong desire to visit America caused him to leave this position and come to Taftsville, Conn., in 1892. Here he resided for five years. In 1897 he accepted a position as Professor of Power Weaving and Practical De- signing in Lowell Textile School, Lowell, Mass. This position he held for ten years, during which time he was engaged as an expert on textile patents and often was hired by the law courts as an expert witness. While in Lowell, Prof. Nelson wrote several books on textiles, which have since been used as text-books in all places in the world where textiles are taught. Previous to this time and since then he has been a large contributor to all the leading textile papers and magazines of the country. In the fall of 1907 he accepted a position as superintendent of the Nuse Mills, in Falls, N. C. He remained here for two and one-half years, being very active in Sun- day school and general welfare work, and a marked improvement in the morale of the people was evidenced. Finally returning to the North, he spent a few months in one of the largest mills in New England as designer. Then he accepted a position with the tariff board as special agent. The last day of 1911 saw Mr. Nelson on the campus as Professor of Weaving and Designing. In the textile building may be seen a rare piece of weaving in the form of a tablecloth with both state and college seal woven in it ; this cloth is the work of Mr. Nelson. In the fall of 1913 he became Secretary of the Y. M. C. A. at this institution, and the result of his work may be seen on all sides by the advancement made in the social and religious life of the students. Since coming here he has had several opportunities of going out into larger fields, particularly in the cotton mill business; but not even the offer of double his salary has been reason sufficient to take him from us. Last year he was offered, by the Interna- tional Y. M. C. A. Committee, the position of organizing the Y. M. C. A. secretaries in the mill villages of the South. Knowing the mill conditions and the work needed to be done there, this was a strong appeal to let go unheeded. Prof. Nelson is a man of business affairs, having a great appreciation of the value of finance and its wise expenditure and a great capacity for executive and adminis- trative ability coupled with a well-balanced judgment. As a teacher he always pre- sented his subject in a clear, forcible manner and produced a vivid and lasting impres- sion on his pupils. His versatility is further attested by the fact that he is an all- round athlete, having been a member of rugby and soccer football as well as of cricket, gymnasium and track teams. Prof. Nelson is a man of high moral and religious char- acter. At the age of seventeen he began bis career of active Christian work by teaching a Bible class, and since then he has taken a leading part in all phases of religious work wherever he has been. As much to his self-sacrificing, untiring and able efforts as to any others is due the erection of the new Y. M. C. A. building on our campus.

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PRESIDENT G. R. HIGHTOWER For three years Hon. G. R. Hightower has heen at the head of this institution, during which time he has accomplished much in beautifying the campus and the making of a greater A. M. He has put forth his noblest efforts in the development of agri- cultur al, mechanical and industrial conditions and has battled incessantly against ignor- ance in our state. His unselfish heart, his devotion to the highest ideals, his unfailing courtesy and his sterling businesslike qualities have won the lasting admiration of the student body, and in him each one will find a kind, true and sympathetic friend. in