Martin Nelson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Associate Justice of theMinnesota Supreme Court | |
| In office 1953–1972 | |
| Appointed by | C. Elmer Anderson |
| Preceded by | Roger L. Dell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 21, 1889 |
| Died | May 22, 1979 (aged 90) St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Other political affiliations | Independent (1942) |
| Education | St. Paul College of Law (LLB) |
| Military service | |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
Martin A. Nelson (February 21, 1889 – May 22, 1979) was an American attorney, politician, and jurist fromMinnesota. He served as an associate justice of theMinnesota Supreme Court.[1]
Nelson was born inHesper Township, Winneshiek County, Iowa and received his early education there. He later moved to Minnesota and earned his law degree fromWilliam Mitchell College of Law (then the St. Paul College of Law) in 1916.
Nelson practiced law inSt. Paul, Minnesota, prior to his enlistment. DuringWorld War I, Nelson served as an aviator and aviation instructor at American air training fields. From 1919 to 1944, he practiced law atAustin, Minnesota. He served as a trustee of St. Olaf Hospital in Austin for 22 years including 10 years as board president. He was a delegate to the Republican National Conventions in 1928 and 1932.[2][3]
Nelson obtained the Republican gubernatorial nomination in 1934 and 1936, but lost both general elections toFloyd B. Olson andElmer A. Benson, respectively. In 1942, he was an independent candidate for theUnited States Senate from Minnesota, receiving 14.4% of the vote and coming in third place. In 1944, he was appointed a state court district judge inAustin, Minnesota. GovernorC. Elmer Anderson appointed him to theMinnesota Supreme Court in 1953, to fill a vacancy caused by the elevation ofRoger L. Dell to be chief justice. He served until his retirement in 1972. Nelson's fight to remain on the court despite his advanced age (he finally retired at eighty-two) spawned the law mandating retirement for state judges at the age of seventy.[4][5]
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Earle Brown | Republican nominee forGovernor of Minnesota 1934,1936 | Succeeded by |