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Nelson, Socrates

Senate 1859-60 (District 1)

Party when first elected:  Democratic

Counties Served:  Washington

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

Date of Birth: 1/11/1814
Birth Place: Conway, Massachusetts
Birth County:
Birth Country: United States
Date of Death: 5/6/1867
Gender: Male
Religion:
Reported Minority: None Reported
Other Names:
City of Residence (when first elected): Stillwater
Occupation (when first elected): Lumberman

EDUCATION

At Least Elementary School; Academic Education, Massachussetts

OTHER GOVERNMENT SERVICE

County Board/Commissioner: Washington County, Minnesota (Commissioner in 1852, 1855, and 1856); [Dates Unknown]
Territorial Government: St. Croix County, Wisconsin Territory (County Commissioner and Treasurer); 1847 to ?
County Board/Commissioner: Washington County, Minnesota Territory (Treasurer); 1850 to ?
Board of Regents: University of Minnesota (Regent, One of the First Ones); 02/1851 to 02/1859
Territorial Government: Minnesota Territorial Auditor; 05/15/1853 to 01/17/1854
Municipal Council/Aldermen: Stillwater, Minnesota (City Council); 1863 to 1865

FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

Spouse: Betsey D. Barlett (married in 1844)
Children: Two children: Emma and Ella (daughters; Ella died in infancy)
Family Members Who Have Served in the Minnesota Legislature:

GENERAL NOTES

He moved to Illinois in 1839. He then lived to St. Louis, Missouri. He came to Stillwater in 1844 and became the first merchant of that area.

He was elected a delegate to the 1864 Democratic National Convention.

He ran unsucessfully for the Minnesota Senate in 1860.

He died in Stillwater, Minnesota.

Total Days Served: 398

SESSIONS SERVED

2nd Legislative Session (1859-1860)

  Session Details
Body: Senate
District: 01
Elected: 10/12/1858
Residence: Stillwater
Term of Office: 12/7/1859 to 1/7/1861
Counties Represented: Washington
Occupation: Lumberman
Party: Democratic
Committees:
  • Railroads and Railroad Bonds Special
  • State Prison
No other information has been entered for this legislator. These files are available in the Legislative Reference Library.