SIR KNIGHT JEFFREY N. NELSON
Right Eminent Department Commander (2006-2009)
North Central Department

Sir Knight Jeffrey N. Nelson was born in Tioga, North Dakota, on November 25, 1957, to the late Dr. Norman M. Nelson and Patricia C. Nelson. He is a graduate of Tioga High School, a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of North Dakota with degrees in history and political science, and a graduate of the University of North Dakota School of Law. He is licensed to practice law before the Supreme Court of North Dakota, United States District Court for the District of North Dakota, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. He is also a graduate of the Legislative Staff Management Institute, Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota. He is a member of the American Bar Association and the Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources; State Bar Association of North Dakota and the Red Property,1994; Cross of Honor, 1996; and Honorary Legion of Honor, 1998. Probate, and Trust Law and Administrative and Government Lawyers Sections; and the Big Muddy Bar Association. He is the author of "Constitutional Law-Witnesses North Dakota's `Shield' Statute Limits the Newsgatherers' Statutory Privilege if Nondisclosure Would Cause a Miscarriage of Justice," published in Vol.59, No. 2 of the North Dakota Law Review. He is currently legal counsel and assistant code reviser for the North Dakota Legislative Council.
Sir Knight Nelson is a member, Past Master, and past chairman of the Board of Trustees of Bismarck Lodge No. 5. He is also a past director of Masonic education for Lodge No. 5. He has been active in local and statewide Masonic activities, including serving as a member of the Board of Trustees of the North Dakota Masonic Foundation from 1996-2001,serving as chairman in 1999-2000 and 2000-2001. He is currently a member of the Policy and General Purposes Committee, the Masonic Education Committee, the Bylaws Committee, the Trial Commission, and the state coordinator for the Masonic Model Student Assistance Training Program. He has also served the Grand Lodge of North Dakota as appointed Grand Senior Deacon and Grand Senior Steward.
He is a Past High Priest of Missouri Chapter No. 1 and the Grand Scribe of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of North Dakota. He is a recipient of the General Grand Chapter Bronze
Distinguished Service Award. He is a Past Illustrious Master of Twin City Council No. 7 and a Past Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of North Dakota. He is a Past Commander of Tancred Commandery No. 1 and is presently the Commandery of Knights Templar of North Dakota. He is a member and past secretary of the Past Commander's Association. He is Grand Representative of the Grand Chapter of Connecticut near North Dakota, Grand Representative of the Grand Council of Connecticut near North Dakota, and Grand Representative of the Grand Commandery of Colorado near North Dakota.
He is also a member of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. He is a Past Venerable Master of the Valley of Bismarck-Mandan and an initial board member, past president, and current member of the Board of Directors of the Scottish Rite Speech Therapy Center for Children in Bismarck. He was invested with the rank of Knight Commander of the Court of Honour in 2003. He is a member of the Shrine and a Past President of the El Zagel Dusters and the Missouri Slope Shrine Club.
Sir Knight Nelson is a member of the York Rite College, charter member, past governor, and current treasurer of Mandan College No. 191; Red Cross of Constantine, currently serving St. Felix Conclave as Eminent Viceroy; Knights of the York Cross of Honour, past Prior of Walter Lincoln Stockwell Priory No. 53; Knight Masons,Past Excellent Chief of North Dakota Council No. 90; Allied Masonic Degrees,Past Sovereign Master of Capital City Council No. 226; Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests; Triple Tau; Royal Order of Scotland; Grand College of Rites; North Star College, Masonic SRICF; Masonic Order of the Bath; Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor; Knight Crusaders of the Cross; the Universal Craftsmen Council of Engineers; and the International Peace Garden Lodge of Freemasons. He holds honorary memberships in several Grand Commanderies and York Rite grand bodies.He is also a member of several Masonic research lodges and organizations.
        Sir Knight Nelson's interests include reading (Masonic, history, and current events); film (annual attendee and member of several film festivals and film societies); travel; and running (finisher of 14 marathons and numerous half marathons).
Sir Knight Richard Burditt Baldwin, Most Eminent Grand Master, appointed Sir Knight Nelson the Right Eminent Department Commander of the North Central Department at the 63rd Triennial Conclave in Houston, Texas, on August 16, 2006.

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"Knowing Me, Knowing You"