 He was born Nils Johan Nilsen to a Norwegian family in Seljeskog in Salangen on 3 June 1894 , as the oldest of six children . As a child , Nelsen was an active skier and ski jumper , with more than fifteen ski jumps located in the area . In 1913 , his family emigrated to Big Eddy near Revelstoke . Once in Canada , he anglicized his name . His brother , Ivind Nilsen was also a champion ski jumper , and became among other things Boy 's World Champion in 1922 . Ivind , who chose not to anglicize his last name , was known for his supreme style , while Nels was better known for his length . Nelsen married Emma Pickard , with whom he had ten children . Except for a brief period as a ski instructor , he worked as a brakeman and conductor for the Canadian Pacific Railway , whose flexibility made it easer to participate in tournaments . He moved to North Vancouver where he raised his family . 
