# Rensselaer Nelson *United States district judge for the District of Minnesota (1858–1896)* Rensselaer Russell Nelson (May 12, 1826 – October 15, 1904) sat on the [[United States District Court for the District of Minnesota]] from the month of statehood in 1858 until he retired in 1896. His father, [[Samuel Nelson]], was a Justice of the United States Supreme Court.[^1] Before statehood Nelson practiced law in Saint Paul and served as an associate justice of the Supreme Court of [[Minnesota Territory]]. He belonged to the [[Democratic Party (United States)]]. President James Buchanan appointed him to a judgeship created by 11 Stat. 285. When Nelson retired on May 16, 1896, no other Buchanan appointee remained in active federal judicial service.[^1] ## Education and career Nelson was born in Cooperstown, New York, on May 12, 1826. He studied at Hartwick Seminary and then took his degree at Yale University in 1846, where he was a member of Skull and Bones. He read law under James R. Whiting of New York City in 1849.[^1] He practiced privately in [[Buffalo]], New York, from 1849 to 1850. He then moved to Saint Paul in Minnesota Territory, where he practiced from 1850 to 1853. From 1853 to 1855 he was [[county attorney]] of Douglas County, Wisconsin. He returned to private practice in Saint Paul from 1855 to 1857, and he sat as an associate justice of the territorial Supreme Court from 1857 to 1858.[^1] ## Federal judicial service [[Minnesota]] entered the Union on May 11, 1858. On May 20, 1858, Buchanan nominated Nelson to a new district judgeship authorized by 11 Stat. 285. The [[United States Senate]] confirmed him on May 30, 1858, and his commission issued that day.[^1] Nelson served until his retirement on May 16, 1896, 38 years after his commission. His age and length of service had led observers to expect him to retire, but the way he did it surprised them. A contemporary account carried in the Wikipedia article reports that he 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." The same account described him as "the oldest Judge in point of service on the federal bench."[^1] ## Later career and death After 1896 Nelson returned to private practice in Saint Paul. He continued there until he died in that city on October 15, 1904.[^1] ## Family Nelson was the fourth child of Samuel Nelson and Catharine Ann Russell, who was the Justice's second wife. On November 2, 1858, he married Mrs. Emma Fuller (née Beebee) Wright (1832–1886). The couple had two children.[^1] ## Notes [^1]: Wikipedia contributors, *Rensselaer Nelson* (revision 1372870073, retrieved 2026-10-26) — birth, education, pre-federal career, party, nomination, confirmation and commission dates, 11 Stat. 285, retirement and contemporary account, death, and family particulars. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rensselaer_Nelson