Francis Nelson

Who was Francis Nelson?

Francis Nelson was a man versed in practically all sports. Though perhaps best known for his interests in Thoroughbreds, his interests were diversified and he became a bulwark of the Ontario Hockey Association in its struggling years. When John Ross Robertson became the Ontario Hockey Association president in its 10th year of existence, he realized that he needed strong men around him to make the organization a success so he called upon Nelson, Sports Editor of the Toronto Globe, for assistance. Nelson served as OHA vice-president from 1903 to 1905. The following season he was named OHA Governor to the Amateur Athletic Union of Canada and was later elected a life member. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1947.