The Alaska daily empire., 1923-04-30
SENATOR KNUTE NELSON.

Great strength-physeal and mental-was the first thing that impressed in meeting Knute Nell son long affectionatey referred to the Grand Old Man" of Minnesota. His physique stocky and muscular, his head larger than that of the average man, his features cast in strong mould. His whole personality suggestive Of indebtedness, breadth mind and deeisiyeness
 Nelson had q peculiar aptitude for statecraf eyi- denced by the besides being member of the United States Senate for than twenty-five years, he fer six years in the House of Representatives and he served in the Legislature Of Wisconsin and Minnesota and twice Governor of the last named State. He frankly and unahectedy proud of his record of having been defeated for any office for which he became candidate. In politics he Republican,
 In dealing with legislative questions he thor cughly fearless in his public utterances and, in private conferences with members of his constituency outspoken One of the many laws passed largely because of his initiative and aggressiyeness the bankruptcy law. which, from his active and sue cessfnl connection with it, was known the "Nel- son Cure"
 Born in voss. Norway on February ?, 1S48 Knute Nelson the United States with his widowed mother, when he six years old, and they found their first American home in Chicago Knute helped his mother by selling papers on the strtets.N Later they moved 10 Wisconsin and tht youngster obtained his first schooling in Dane County going to the academy at Albion, Wis, where he stud fed for three years
 In the Civil War Nelson entered the Fourth Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry He three years taking part in the capture Fort Jackson St Phillip, and New Orleans, in the siege of Vcksbure and the battles of Baton Rouge, Camp Bislan and Franklin In the fighting at Port Hudson La, he received wound in the thigh, the effects which he felt the rest of his life Taken prisoner he was kept at Port Hudson until it surrendered
 Returning to Dane County, Wis., after the war Nelson studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1867. In 1868. MT. Nelson married Miss Nicholina Jacobaon at Christiania. Wis, and they moved to Alexandria, Mnn.. which to be Nelson's home thereafter. Five children were born but four have died, leaving Miss Ida Nelson the only surviving child.
 Mr. Nelson elected the House of Represen- tatfyos in 1889, after he had served terms in the Legislature of both Minnesota Wisconsin as State Senator After six years in the lower house Con- gress he retired and resumed his law practice He was elected Governor of Minnesota in 1892 and was reelected two years later but resigned in 1895 to become United States Senator to which office he was reelected in 1901, 1907, 1913 and 1919
 The hcme life of the Nelsons was marked by the same simplicity characterized the personality of the lawyer and statesman neither the Senator nor his wife cared for the distractions social activity Mrs Nelson, long after her husband became a na- tonal figure adhered to old world of house keeping, among them sanded floors
 MT. Nelson's amuscments and recreatons were simple. He loved to be of doors but when ir the house his chief pleasure was found in his library where he read almost daily his favore books being historical. The Alexandria home is on a large and well managed farm and the Senator was pleased II referred to as Farmer Nelson" He once said he did net wish to be called statesman and that he was Haysecd' The first book he ever had was an cld school reader for which he traded flag" of wood He kept that little book all his life Accom- piished as he was in knowledge of history and the law, he was accustomed 10 say that his best univer- the service he in it.
 Senator Nelson visited Alaska in 1903 accompan n- led by Senator Dillingham; of Vermont Senator Pat tefson of Colorado and Senator Burnham of New Hampshire They visited all Southeastern Alaska points and then went down the Yukon River up to Fairbanks and on down to Nome He always took q hFeiy and intelligent interest in Alaskan affairs Early in 1918 Senator Nelson announced that he would not be candidate for reelection for United states senator He said he too old to make q campaign for the nomination and the election that would follow However. the Democrats of Minnesota at the suggestion. if is said of President Wilson, asked him to again and promised him an endorse ment so he reconsidered his determination to retire and was reelected for another term with the support of the Democratic as well the Republican Party
 Senator Nelson lived a long and useful life He IS dead at the age of four years the record he has left behind is the treasures of the Great West and his country.