John M. Nelson

John Mandt Nelson (October 10, 1870 – January 29, 1955) was an American public administrator and progressive Republican politician from Dane County, Wisconsin. He served 12 terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing southwestern Wisconsin from 1906 to 1919, and from 1921 to 1933. He was a leading member of the progressive movement in Wisconsin, and served as chairman of Robert M. La Follette's presidential campaign in the 1924 election.

In Congress, Nelson was twice involved in notable progressive rebellions against speakers of his own party. He was a committed temperance advocate and supporter of prohibition, contributing to his defeat in the 1932 primary.

Early life John Mandt Nelson was born on his family's farm in the town of Burke, Wisconsin, on October 10, 1870. He attended the public schools and graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1892.

After completing his college education, he was elected superintendent of schools for Dane County, Wisconsin, and served from 1892 to 1894. He then was hired as a clerk in the office of the Secretary of State of Wisconsin. While working in that office, he attended the University of Wisconsin Law School, earning his law degree in 1896. He worked as editor of The State, published in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1897 and 1898, then worked as correspondent in the state treasury from 1898 to 1902. He also pursued a postgraduate course from 1901 to 1903.

From the 63rd Congress he represented Wisconsin's 3rd congressional district and was reelected to the following 64th and 65th Congresses as well from March 4, 1913 till March 3, 1919.

Their eldest son was Byron C. Nelson, a notable Lutheran pastor and apologist for creationism.

John Nelson died on January 29, 1955, in Madison, Wisconsin following a long illness. He was interred in Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison.