John H(ayden) Nelson
From the Biographical Encyclopedia of Kentucky; published by J M Armstrong & Co Cincinnati, Ohio in 1878.
NELSON, JOHN H, Lawyer, was born August 22, 1801 in Campbell County, Kentucky. His parents were Covington and Thirra Nelson, both natives of Spottsylvania County, Virginia. His father was a farmer by pursuit; came to Kentucky in 1760; first settled in Fayette, but in 1795 removed to Campbell County, where he died in 1840. His mother was the daughter of John Hayden, one of the early settlers of Fayette County.
John H Nelson was educated in such schools as the country afforded during his boyhood and at the age of twenty-three, began to read law at Falmouth, under Edward Holden. He soon after temporarily abandoned the study of the law, and from 1825 to 1850, was engaged in the lumber business, merchandising, and other pursuits; during 1833, commanding a steamboat on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. In 1850, he was admitted to the bar and at once entered upon the practice of the law in Campbell County.
He was for eight years Justice of the Peace in that county; in 1854 was elected Judge of the County Court; held the position four years; and was elected to the State Senate in 1853, but was fraudulently prevented from taking his seat in that body. In politics, he is a Democrat, although his first Presidential vote was cast for Henry Clay. He is a member of the Christian Church and has been distinguished throughout his long, busy life for his deep sense of justice, his great integrity and many sterling traits of character.
Mr. Nelson was married June 20, 1827 to Miss Maria Ellen Sallee, daughter of Abraham Sallee, a farmer of Bracken County, Kentucky. One of their sons R W Nelson, is a lawyer of Newport and member of the Kentucky Legislature.