Milton C. Elstner Explained

Milton C. Elstner
Office1:United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana
President1:Chester A. Arthur
Term Start1:1881
Term End1:1885
Predecessor1:H. B. Talliaferro
Successor1:Montfort S. Jones
Office2:United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana
President2:Benjamin Harrison
Term Start2:1889
Term End2:1893
Predecessor2:Montfort S. Jones
Successor2:Charles W. Seals
Office3:United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana
President3:William McKinley
Term Start3:1898
Term End3:1910
Predecessor3:Charles W. Seals
Successor3:Edward H. Randolph
Birth Name:Milton Casper Elstner
Birth Date:14 November 1848
Birth Place:Grant County, Kentucky, U.S.
Death Place:Shreveport, Louisiana
Alma Mater:University of Kentucky (Bachelor)(JD)
Father:William H. Elstner
Mother:Anna Carter Elstner
Spouse:Julia Smoker Elstner (married 1873; died 1936)
Children:5
Nickname:Milt
Serviceyears:1865
Rank:Quartermaster
Unit:3rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment

Milton Casper Elstner (1848–1912) was an American lawyer and former confederate soldier from Grant County, Kentucky. He served as United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana three separate times under five presidents.

Childhood

Milton was born to W. H. and Anna S. (Carter) Elstner, who were Kentucky natives. Milton and his parents came to Louisiana in 1859, locating in Caddo Parish. After living there a few years they moved to Arkansas, but in 1863, returned to Louisiana. In 1865[1] at the end of the American Civil War he joined one of the first Arkansas regiments (the Third), and was with Ben McCullough and McIntosh when they were killed at the battle of Elk Horn, which was a fight between Sigel and Earl Van Dorn. During his service he held the rank of major and quartermaster.[2]

Law career

Milton received his collegiate education at the University of Kentucky in 1872 graduated from the law department of the same institution. He was first admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Kentucky, and that year was admitted to the same in Shreveport, Louisiana,[3] and in 1874 entered upon his practice. During the administration of President Arthur he filled the position of United States Attorney for the western district of Louisiana and in July, 1889, was re-appointed to the same office,[4] and his duties have been performed in a manner highly flattering to himself ever since. He was an able lawyer, with a convincing and eloquent speech, and the reputation he gained was acquired largely through his own individual efforts and at the expense of diligent study and practical experience. In 1898,[5] he once again was appointed to the position and he held it until 1910.[6]

Notes and References

  1. News: October 14, 1912. Milt Elstner Passed Away At His Home. The Shreveport Times.
  2. Book: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana. Southern Publishing Company. 1890.
  3. Book: American Almanac and Treasury of Facts, Statistical, Financial, and Political, for ...: Volume 6. 1883.
  4. Book: Records and Briefs of the United States Supreme Court.
  5. Book: The World Almanac & Book of Facts. Newspaper Enterprise Association. 1902.
  6. Web site: 2015-01-26. History. 2020-10-12. www.justice.gov. en.