Robert J. Nelson
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Robert J. Nelson (May 20, 1873 – February 2, 1949) was a journalist, publisher, messenger, porter, and clerk who worked for the Department of Mines in Pennsylvania and was active as a community and civil rights leader. He lived in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
Born in Reading, Pennsylvania, he was described as being "mulatto".[1] He attended the public schools in Reading.[1] He was the youngest of 11 children. He co-founded and edited the Wilmington Advocate and later was an editor for the Washington Eagle.[2] His first marriage was to Elizabeth Barber of Baltimore. They had a daughter Elizabeth and a son Robert Clarke (who died as a child).[2] He was a member of the United Negro Republican Association. He served as preaident of the Douglas Publishing Company in Harrisburg.[2]
He was a Grand Master of the Odd Fellows of Pennsylvania.[1]
His second marriage was to Alice Dunbar-Nelson (1875-1935) on April 20, 1916. He was her third husband.[1] She was the widow of Paul Lawrence Dunbar.[3]
His wife compiled Masterpieces of Negro Eloquence and he published it in 1914.[4]
He was part of the Colored Professionals and Businessman and was secretary for the Harrisburg NAACP.[1] He served as president of the Harrisburg People's Forum and was a director for the Colored People for Independence.[1]
He served as president of the Afro-American Republican League of Pennsylvania for at least three terms.[1]
He was a clerk in Reading for the Department of Mines.[5]
He belonged to the Capital Street Presbyterian Church and was involved in leading its Sunday School. He belonged to the Elks and was a member of the Mohican Club.[1] In 1913 he won a lawsuit over segregation at the Victoria theatre.[1]
Publishings
- Masterpieces of Negro eloquence; the best speeches delivered by the Negro from the days of slavery to the present time edited by Alice Moore Dunbar.[6]