The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-04-01
THE HON. l. De c. NELSON DEAD.
After An Honorable and Useful Life He
Passes Peacefully Away.


Passes Peacefully Away.
FoRT WAYNE. March pa Especial. L
The Hon. !. De G.Nelson died at his home,
132 East Berry-st., this city, at s o'clock
this morning. His death was due to the
infrmities of old age, augmented by an
attack OF Ia grippe. Up to within the last
fortnight he had been in his usual health
which, however, had been far from robust
for some time. His last illness dates from
the funeral Of Mrs. Jesse L. Williams, q
family friend, at which he oiiciated as an
honorary pall-bearer. That was two
weeks ago. He had been arlarmingly i'll
for the past two days and his recovery had
never been expected with any confidence.
His daughters, Mrs. Henry w. Bond and
Miss Eva Nelson, with his grandchildren.
the daughters of the late Sheriff De Croft
Nelson, attended him in his last moments.
His only surviving son, William r. Mel
son, arrived from Kansas City at noon.
Mr.. Nelson was so intimately connected
with the history of Fort Wayne, and was
held in such profound restect, that his
death is a public sorrow. Arrangements
for the funeral have not yet been made.
Isaac De Croft Nelson was a native of
New York state, having been born in
Poughkeepsle July 2, 1910.
His father, Leonard Nelson, was farm
er, the son OF John Nelson, revolutions
~ soldier, who received 500 acres OF land
in Tompkins county. New York, for his
heroic services. His mother was Mary
De Croft, daughter OF Moses De Croft, one
OF family conspicuous for hazardous du-
" along the Hudson during the revOlu-
ton. The De Grois were on duty between
Poughkeepsie and Tarrytown at the time
of the capture of Major Andre. When
Isaac De croft Nelson was sixteen years
old his father died, and on him devolved
the care Of the family.
In 1882 President Jackson appointed
him postmaster OF Freedom Plains, n. Y,
and four years later he emigrated to Indi-
ana and settled in Fort Wayne. He was
appointed receiver OF pubic monies in
1913, and held the position until relieved
by President Taylor for political reasons
five years later. In 1852 he was elected to
the first legislature after the adoption of
the new constitution. This was known as
the ''lOng legislature" 1t sat six months.
The Hon. William II. English was the
speaker, and many of the most prominent
democrats of the state were members. Mr..
English says none were more valuable
than the subject Of this sketch. In 1854
Mr.. Nelson was elected clerk of Allen
county, and reelected in 1858, concluding
his services in 1862. In addition to the
positions named, Mr.. Nelson was APP
pointed one OF the state house commits
sioners by Governor Williams. He served
throughout the time occupied in erecting
the state house, altogether about eleven
years. During this period be resided in
Indianapolis.
His wife was the daughter of the Hon;
William Rockhil, who at one time repre-
sented the Fort Wayne district in con-
Rress. Four children were the result OF
the union-De Croft, who died three
years ago when filing the Office of
sheriff of Allen county; William r. Mel
son, the present proprietor of the Kansas
City Star. and Mrs. Henry w. Bond and
Miss Eva Nelson, both at present residing
In Fort Wayne.
Mr.. Nelson was always democrat. He
stood by the party in good and evil
report throughout his long and eventful
life. In 1910 he bought the Fort Wayne
Sentinel. then the organ of the wing party,
and turned 1t into a democratic paper.
He took much interest in agricultural
and horticultural matters, and was re.
garded special authority in landscape
gardening. AS the president of the Lin
denwood cemetery company OF Fort
Wayne he contributed largely to the beau
tifying of the grounds making them
perhaps the most attractive Of the kind in
the state Mr.. Nelson for many years
preceding his death had been a consistent
member Of the episcopal church.