Lester Gillis was burn in Chicago on December 6, 1908. During his early teens he worked on the streets with a gang of friends, doing minor crimes. By the age of 14 he was a car thief and had gotten his nickname baby face by the members of his gang. Nelson's early career included working for a chop shop stealing parts, running stills, and bootlegging. He also did multiple armed robberies.
In 1922 he was convicted of auto theft and sent to juvy. 2 months later he was released on parole, but within months he was sent back on the same charge.
He met a sales girl named Helen Wawzynak who he married shortly after.
Nelson was sentenced to a prison term of 20 to life in January 1931 for his armed robbery of a