Encyclopedia Dubuque
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NELSON, Patrick J.
Family History: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=louiek&id=I0098
NELSON, Patrick John. (Otter Creek, Jackson County, IA, Feb. 18, 1862--Dubuque, IA, Dec. 7, 1946). Nelson attended the University of Notre Dame and played on the school's first football team in 1888, the year he graduated. (1) He served as the Dubuque County Attorney from January 7, 1907 until December 31, 1914. He also served as the assistant city attorney and was a judge on the district court from 1922 until 1938. (2) He was the father of Thomas NELSON.
Nelson was elected to the Dubuque school board for four years and served as president two years. He also served on the Dubuque Planning and Zoning Commission from 1929 to 1931, trustee of SUNNYCREST SANITORIUM from 1933 to 1935, and as president of the county bar association.
In 1925 Judge Nelson was awarded membership in the Monogram Club of Notre Dame University. The inscription read: (3)
This is to attest that Patrick J. Nelson
is endowed with the ND varsity athletic
insignia as his Alma Mater's tribute to
his loyalty as a varsity football man of
1887. His deeds, her inspiration. His
name a solemn tradition of Notre Dame.
It was signed by Knute Rockne, coach; J.Hugh O'Donnell, C.S.C.; and Matthew Walsh, C.S.C., president
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Source:
1. "City Fraternal League One Year Old; Celebrities," Telegraph-Herald, September 25, 1934, p. 2
2. "Your Honor....Judge Nelson," Telegraph Herald, April 30, 1978, p. 29
3. "Judge P. J. Nelson, Notre Dame Alumnus, in Monogram Club," Telegraph-Herald, January 5, 1927, p. 8