Calvin E. Neilsen has been selected as the Grand Marshal for the Mona City Pioneer Day parade. This year's theme is "Cows, Plows, and Country Roots".
Calvin has country roots that go back to 1867. He is child number 6 of 13 and was born on the ranch his grandfather established near Mona. When Calvin was two years old, his parents, John S. and Hazel Vest Neilsen, moved into town to the home where he lives now. Of course the cows and plows came, too.
It was Calvin's chore to take the cows out to pasture—across the creek before he was old enough to go to shcool, and 2 miles along the highway, alone, at 6 years old.
He had the same teacher who taught his mother—one of the best math teachers in the country. He learned well, and eventually became principal of Mona Elementary School. This was after he served in the Navy during World War II, graduated from BYU, and brought his sweetheart, Sarah Colton, home from her cows, plows and country roots in the Uintah Basin.
Farming has been a part of Calvin's entire life–first for his father and uncle, and finally as a partner with his brother Paul Neilsen. He was a pioneer in developing irrigation water in this area.
Besides farming, Calvin continued to work for Juab School District serving over 20 years as the first high school counselor. He was the precinct chair and was involved in many other civic and church affairs.
Calvin and Sarah have 8 children, 34 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren with 3 more on the way.
Some of Calvin's favorite pastimes are sitting with a good view of Mt. Nebo, watching a nest of birds, and talking about the good ol' days including the tale of the "self-milking" cow.
