Andrew Jackson Nelson (September 1845 – 1919) Lavina Emmaline Swafford Reynolds (July 1842 – 1900)
Andrew was born on September 1845 in Dent County, Missouri. He was the son of James Jack Nelson and Johanna Murray. Andrew married Lavina Emmaline Swafford Reynolds on September 19, 1866 in Phelps County, Missouri. Lavina was born July 1842 in Missouri. At this time, it is believed that Lavina was the daughter of James Edward Swafford and Rebecca Jane Sherill. There are conflicting reports and at this time I haven’t been able to get final proof of their identities. Lavina’s first husband was Thomas Hannah Reynolds who she married in 1858. Thomas died after 1860.
1850 Census records show Andrew, age 6, living in District 24, Crawford, Missouri; in 1860 he was age 17 and lived in Meramec, Dent County, Missouri with his mother Joanna, age 31, and his siblings. The 1860 census records show “Luvina” Reynolds, age 17, living with Hannah Reynolds age 26, and John T. Reynolds age 8 1/2 living in Meramac, Dent County, Missouri.. In 1870, Andrew and Lavina lived in Norman, Dent County, Missouri. In 1880, they lived in Richwoods, Sharp County, Arkansas and Andrew was a farmer. Records show that in 1900 and 1910, they lived in Davidson, Sharp County, Arkansas.
According to a newspaper article from the Rolla Herald (MO.) July 10, 1879, a severe storm which was called "The Minnesota Cyclone" swept through Dent County and surrounding area and Andrew lost the roof of his barn. No one was hurt.
Andrew died in 1919 in Hardy, Sharp County, Arkansas. Lavina died in 1900 also in Hardy.
Lavina and Thomas’ Children:
1. John T. Reynolds; b. November 1859 Missouri; d. July 27, 1949 Craig[head], Arkansas