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.

Milton C. Elstner
United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana
In office
1881–1885
PresidentChester A. Arthur
Preceded byH. B. Talliaferro
Succeeded byMontfort S. Jones
United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana
In office
1889–1893
PresidentBenjamin Harrison
Preceded byMontfort S. Jones
Succeeded byCharles W. Seals
United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana
In office
1898–1910
PresidentWilliam McKinley
Preceded byCharles W. Seals
Succeeded byEdward H. Randolph
Personal details
Born
Milton Casper Elstner

(1848-11-14)November 14, 1848
Grant County, Kentucky, U.S.
DiedOctober 13, 1912(1912-10-13) (aged 63)
Shreveport, Louisiana
SpouseJulia Smoker Elstner (married 1873; died 1936)
Children5
Parents
  • William H. Elstner (father)
  • Anna Carter Elstner (mother)
Alma materUniversity of Kentucky (Bachelor)(JD)
NicknameMilt
Military service
Allegiance Confederate States of America
Branch/service Confederate States Army
Years of service1865
RankQuartermaster
Unit3rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment

Childhood

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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

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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.[2] In 1898,[5] he once again was appointed to the position and he held it until 1910.[6]

References

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  1. ^ "Milt Elstner Passed Away At His Home". The Shreveport Times. October 14, 1912.
  2. ^ a b Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana. Southern Publishing Company. 1890.   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ American Almanac and Treasury of Facts, Statistical, Financial, and Political, for ...: Volume 6. 1883.
  4. ^ Records and Briefs of the United States Supreme Court.
  5. ^ The World Almanac & Book of Facts. Newspaper Enterprise Association. 1902.
  6. ^ "History". www.justice.gov. 2015-01-26. Retrieved 2020-10-12.