Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1873-08-28
MoN. II o a. II. NELSON.

: HON. THOs. A. II. NELSON.
This community was greatly shocked
by the announcement Of the sudden death
At his residence 10 Knoxville on the oath
inst, Of Judge Nelson.
He was'62 years o fage, but of robust
health, having apparently lost nothing Of
the physical or mental vigor Of bis e%arlier
professional life.
Judge Nelson was born at the old
"Meredilh Place." in Roane county, the
10th Of March, 1912, and was educated
at the East Tennessee College, nov East
Tennessee University, at Knoxville. Hav-
ing graduated he became a student Of law,
under the tuition of Chancellor Thos. L.
Williams. He located in Elizabethton,
to which place his father, David Nelson
Esqr., had removed from Knoxville, and
at once toek high position in bis prOtes-
sion. He was subsequently, elected Az
torney General Of the lst Judicial Cir
cult and had no. superior in the State as a
prosecuting officer. He was repeatedly,
the chosen standard bearer of the Wings,
Of his District as %electtr, and was an car
nest, fearless and powerful political de.
batcr-and represented the 1st District
in Congress at the beginning of our re-
cent civil war. He was an earnest Union
man, and sought by all honorable means
to avoid collision Of arms between the
States. When the war ceased, his great
effort and aim we're to conciliate and har,
monte the late opposing parties.
In 1870, he was elected one of the
Judges of tho Supreme Court of the
State, but resigned the position after lit.
tie more than a years service, aud re-
turned to the practice of his profession at
Knoxville.
The greater part Of his professional life
was passed at Jonesboro', and he was in
active and profitable practice in the LIST
Circuit, when the writer of this brief and
imperfect tribute to his memory came tc
the bar Of the same Circuit, residing il
the same town-as a recently l%icencet
lawyer, and knew him thenceforth to the
day of his death intimately, and as ont
friend knows another. 4.
Judge Nelson, as a practitioner, wa
conscientious and honorable; liberal ant
courteous, despising trickery or mean
ness; no member Of the bar, for a mo
ment, distrussed the truth of his state
ments of facts, or apprebended any vii
full pervcrSion or suppression Of them.
The writer has often, upon appeal t
the Supreme Court, in important ciyi
and criminal cases, accepted, withost ma
terial alteration the notes of the evidence
and steps taken in the trial, taken b
Judge Nelson, as the bill of exception
in the case. :
Judge Nelson was always courteous an
~considerate toward tho younger member
Of the bar. and would pass unnoticed, O
gently reprove, slight discourtesies 0
treacherics of etiquette in them, which b
would have denounced and rebuked i
older lawyers. ig "a
lie was proud of his profession, an
jealous Of the rights of its members, an
always ready to volunteer in defence {
any Of its rightful privileges, when the
were assailed.
He was emineutly a generous maj
Charitable to the needy, unsel6shly libt
raj toward his friends, ard if one aske
him for his coat, was ready to give hin
his cloak also.
lie attained the highest eminence as
lawyer, and well deserved the distinctio
no had won. Faithful to his ellen is, il
defaticable in their service, he brought
their aid a power Of research, and an ca.
nest and logical analysis of facts thi
never failed to present bis cause in i
most favorable aspect.
lie was that modest work of God
IAN honest mana lawyer without re
proach-a pure and upright Judge,
In this community where he live
longest and was best known, his loss wi
be most deeply felt and deplorcd, and I'll
sympathy Cor his bcreaycd family be sir
ccre and wide spread.
God only can heal the wounded heart
Of his estimable widow and fatherlc.
children, and to his mercy We common
them. ID.
. MOUNTAIN RETREAT. s
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