13 Facts About Rensselaer Nelson

Rensselaer Russell Nelson was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota.

Rensselaer Nelson was the son of United States Supreme Court Justice Samuel Nelson.

Rensselaer Nelson entered private practice in Buffalo, New York from 1849 to 1850.

Rensselaer Nelson continued private practice in Saint Paul, Minnesota Territory from 1850 to 1853, and from 1855 to 1857.

Rensselaer Nelson was county attorney of Douglas County, Wisconsin from 1853 to 1855.

Rensselaer Nelson was an associate justice of the Supreme Court of Minnesota Territory from 1857 to 1858.

Rensselaer Nelson was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 30,1858, and received his commission the same day.

Rensselaer Nelson's service terminated on May 16,1896, due to his retirement, by when he was the last federal judge in active service to have been appointed by President Buchanan.

Rensselaer Nelson was in the midst of a trial when he astonished every one by dismissing the jury, adjourning court, and announcing his retirement to private life.

Judge Rensselaer Nelson is the oldest Judge in point of service on the federal bench, having been appointed nearly forty years ago.

Rensselaer Nelson died on October 15,1904, in Saint Paul.

Rensselaer Nelson was the fourth child of United States Supreme Court Justice Samuel Rensselaer Nelson and Catharine Ann Russell, his father's second wife.

On November 2,1858, Rensselaer Nelson was married to Mrs Emma Fuller Wright.