Nils was born on 24 June, on the old Midsummer Day in 1894. He had six siblings, a brother and five sisters. The family was very close.

As a young man Nils was a keen sportsman, hunter and loved the outdoors. He was a hard working student and always helped his family at home with various chores. While the other siblings went off to get an education, Nils remained at home, supporting his mother who was widowed at an early age.

Nils was a fine shot and used to participate in shooting contests, where sometimes he would win prizes.

Just like many other members of his family, he was fond of animals, especially dogs.

One day Nils found out that there was to a be a so called Farmers’ March. Farmers and other young men from all over the country had decided to try and influence a political situation. They were going to the capital to speak to the king. Nils wanted to see Stockholm, so he went off with several other young men. The group Nils was travelling with was quartered in a gymnasium. They eventually heard, not the king, but the crown prince or his son, Prince Gustav Adolf, speak. It was the political leaders of the Farmers’ March who heard the king’s speech.

Eventually, Nils moved away from home and got a job in a shop. There he met Sara, who he was engaged to, before long, and later married. A few years later, they had a daughter.

Nils studied, among other things, book keeping, from home, to get further education in his chosen profession.

He and his wife moved to another town where they started a grocer’s shop. They worked in it for many years, until Nils was retired and sold the shop. Sara continued working for many years, until she too was retired.

Off and on, Nils suffered from arthritis and had to go to a spa. The diet there improved his health, but he never fully recovered.

He was a fine carpenter. In his spare time he would design all sorts of objects made of wood, including furniture.

At times he also had other hobbies, such as photography and bookbinding. Like his sister Signe, he was also a skillful gardener.

Ever since his school days, he had been good at learning things by heart, and he would often recite long passages of poetry from memory.