The Ekstrom & Nelson Shoe Store circa 1910. SCHS Photo.
Emil Nelson was born on November 23, 1870 in Erikstad, Sweden. A cobbler by occupation, he immigrated to the United States in 1891 and settled in Manistique. Shortly after his arrival, he opened a shoe shop on Oak Street. Then in 1901, he entered a partnership with Axel Ekstrom, a fellow Swedish immigrant, and together they established the Ekstrom & Nelson Shoe Store on South Cedar Street.
Axel Carl Ekstrom was born in Karlstad, Sweden on December 7, 1866. He immigrated to the United States in 1882, coming directly to Manistique. He first obtained employment as a janitor at the Lakeside School, a job which he held for about one year. He also worked for the lumber company for a time as a lather. Prior to his partnership with Emil Nelson, Ekstrom operated a bicycle shop—bicycling being hugely popular in the late nineteenth century. The two men remained in business together from 1901 until 1916. Then, in 1916, the partnership was dissolved for reasons that have been lost to history. Emil Nelson started his own expanded shoe shop, opening Nelson’s Shoe Store just south of the original store on Cedar Street. Ekstrom remained in the retail shoe business until 1921. Then, in 1923 he established the Lakeside Grocery Store which he managed until his death in April of 1934.
Emil Nelson retained active management of the Nelson’s Shoe Store on Cedar Street until 1947, when he retired. He died only four years later in February of 1951. Following his death, the management of the store fell to his son, Alvin (better known as Swede). Emil’s son Oscar preferred more solitary work, so he remained in the back of the store repairing shoes and boots. A daughter, Myrtle, also knew the business well and waited on customers in the shop. The Nelsons continued their father’s legacy for selling quality products at fair prices. Many are the memories of going to the Nelson’s Shoe Store with my father in the late 1950’s and 60’s and being waited on by Swede or Myrtle. Canvas Red Ball Jets were my favorite footwear in the summer but new leather Oxfords were purchased at the start of each school year.
John Stewart bought the store in March of 1975, retaining the name of the business as Nelson’s Shoe Store. Myrtle Nelson worked for him during his first four years as owner. In late August of 1996, Stewart moved the shoe store to the building next door. He found out later that it was the original site of the Ekstrom & Nelson Shoe Store that was founded in 1901. Photographs of the original store building are displayed on the wall behind the counter and the old safe has the name “Emil Nelson” printed above the door. Stewart also has an original chair from the Ekstrom & Nelson store that was a gift from one of his customers. Mr. Stewart will be turning 90 in the spring of 2022 and will be closing the store after over 46 years in business. He has no regrets, saying only that “Manistique has been very good to me.”
Interior of the Ekstrom & Nelson Shoe Store circa 1910. SCHS Photo