Nelson practiced law in
St. Paul, Minnesota, prior to his enlistment. During
World War I, Nelson served as an aviator and aviation instructor at American air training fields. From 1919 to 1944, he practiced law at
Austin, Minnesota. He served as a trustee of St. Olaf Hospital in Austin for 22 years including 10 years as board president. He was a delegate to the Republican National Conventions in 1928 and 1932.{{cite web|url= https://mn.gov/law-library/assets/DellMemorial_tcm1041-77050.pdf|title = Proceedings In Memory of Chief Justice Roger L. Dell ==References==