Horace Nelson facts for kids

Horace Aloysius Nelson (born February 16, 1878 – died 1962) was an important leader of the Penobscot people in America. He was also the father of a famous dancer and actress named Molly Spotted Elk.

Growing Up and Learning

Horace Nelson was born on February 16, 1878. His parents were Peter "Dindy" Nelson and Mary Francis Mitchell Nelson. He grew up on Indian Island, which is a Penobscot reservation. This island is located near Old Town, Maine.

Horace went to Old Town High School. When he was 22 years old, he made history. He was only the second Penobscot person to graduate from that high school. The first was a baseball player named Louis Sockalexis. After high school, Horace Nelson went on to study at Dartmouth College. He was the very first Penobscot person to attend this college. He graduated from Dartmouth around 1904.

A Life of Service and Work

Horace Nelson dedicated much of his life to serving his community. He worked as the Penobscot Representative in the Maine Legislature. This means he spoke for his people in the state government. He held this position from 1921 to 1922. Later, he served as the Penobscot governor from 1939 to 1941.

Besides his political roles, Horace had many different jobs to support his family. Like many Penobscot men, he spent time trapping animals, fishing, and gathering sweet-grass. His wife, Philomene Saulis Nelson (1888–1977), used the sweet-grass to make beautiful baskets. Horace also grew vegetables in a garden. He worked as a ferry master, helping people cross to Indian Island. He was also a surveyor, a security guard, and a laborer for a shipbuilding company and a railroad.

Music was one of Horace Nelson's favorite hobbies. He sometimes played music with the Penobscot Indian Band. He also encouraged his children to learn and play music.