Nelson Herrin volunteered for service in the Mexican war. Prior to 1860, he organized The Silver Comet Band, which as a group, volunteered their servies in 1862 to the Army for the Civil War. He organized the Houlton Band in 1865.
In 1883, he started promoting building lots for summer cottages on Nickerson Lake. He built the dance hall, LAKEWOOD, on Nickerson Lake. He also transported the steamboat "Mabel" to the lake for public excersions
