Bio of NASH, John P. (b.1881 d.1922), Hennepin Co., MN
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EXTRACTED FROM: History of Minneapolis, Gateway to the Northwest; 
Chicago-Minneapolis, The S J Clarke Publishing Co, 1923; Edited by: Rev. 
Marion Daniel Shutter, D.D., LL.D.; Volume I - Shutter (Historical); 
volume II - Biographical; volume III - Biographical
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Vol II, pg 305-306
JOHN P. NASH
The life story of John P. Nash, well known lawyer and realtor, who passed away
on the 4th of January, 1922, was the story of the struggle against adversities,
trials and hardships in youth and the story of successful achievement in
manhood, owing to a laudable ambition, close application, persistency of
purpose, indefatigable energy and loyalty to high principles. While his later
years were crowned with prosperity, he never lost the common touch and his
sympathy and interest in his fellowmen went out in the spirit of helpfulness and
assistance to the poor, the unfortunate, and especially to children who are
early buffeted by life's cares and responsibilities. It was not only at
Christmas time but throughout the entire year that his memory harked back to the
period of his own boyhood when he was denied many of the privileges and joys
that should be the inheritance of every boy and girl, and thus he was constantly
shed ding around him much of the sunshine of life.
A native son of Minneapolis, John P. Nash was born April 15, 1881, his parents
being John P. and Annie E. Nash, who were pioneer residents of the city. Owing
to the father's early death, the mother was forced to conduct a boarding house
to support her two little sons and when a lad of but eight years John P. Nash
began selling newspapers in order to aid his widowed mother and younger brother.
As opportunity offered he attended the public schools. He was a pupil in the old
Washington school, where the courthouse now stands, and afterward entered the
Central high school, from which in due course of time he was graduated. He later
became a student in the Minneapolis Academy and subsequently took up the study
of law in the office and under the direction of Judge John H. Steele. During
this period he also attended the law sessions of the night school at the
University of Minnesota and was admitted to practice in 1903, at which time he
entered into a law partnership with his brother, William M. Nash. All through
his school days he was earning a living as opportunity offered. In his early
youth he developed some large paper routes, which not only caused him to arise
very early in order to deliver the morning edition but also kept him busy until
some time after the supper hour in delivering the evening papers. As soon as
possible he purchased a bicycle, which facilitated his work somewhat, but up to
that time his deliveries had been made on foot. When he entered the Law College
of the University of Minnesota, in 1902, he obtained a position as deputy
weigher in the office of the state weighmaster and at that period his mother
gave up her boarding house, after which he contributed to her support and that
of his brother by working in the daytime, while attending school at night. His
partnership with his brother continued until the latter entered the office of
the county attorney as an assistant in 1908, at which time John P. Nash formed a
law partnership with George W. Armstrong that existed until 1915, when the
latter also became an assistant county attorney. From that time until his demise
Mr. Nash largely devoted his attention to his real estate business, which was
constantly developing in extent and importance until he became prominently known
as the president of the Marquette Realty Company and as president of the John P.
Nash Company, in which he was associated with Wendell Hertig. These two
companies conducted extensive operations in the real estate field and Mr. Nash
became a prominent figure in realty circles. Had he lived for a much longer
period, however, John P. Nash would never have been a wealthy man, although he
acquired a very substantial competence. His generosity precluded the possibility
of acquiring wealth. Without ostentation or display, he was constantly assisting
the needy and especially the young who were struggling against disadvantages,
drawbacks and hardships, and there are hundreds who have reason to bless his
memory for timely assistance.
After attaining his majority Mr. Nash gave stalwart support to the republican
party and was active in the management of many stirring political campaigns. He
was twenty-nine years of age when elected from the forty-first district to the
state legislature, in which he sat as a member during the regular session of
1911 and the special session of 1912. He was the author of the state weights and
measures bill, which was signed by Governor Eberhart on Mr. Nash's thirtieth
birthday.
On the 22d of November, 1904, Mr. Nash was united in marriage to Miss Margie M.
Daugherty, who survives him, together with an adopted son, Harold F. Nash. His
religious faith was that of the Catholic church and he had membership with
Hennepin council of the Knights of Columbus and also with the Benevolent
Protective Order of Elks. It was to the latter organization that he turned to
carry out his bequest when death called him. In his will he provided that a
hundred and fifty dollars each year be used by the Elks in providing a special
theatrical matinee for the orphan children of the city and also provided that a
certain sum should be used annually in providing Christmas cheer in the way of
needed clothing, toys and candy to the children of the poor, the sum of one
hundred dollars to be given each year to the Catholic Orphan Asylum for this
purpose, while after a period of twenty years, following the death of his
largest inheritor, the Elks organization was to receive the residue of his
estate to be used for charitable purposes. He also made provision that a
suitable memorial be erected to his mother and thus gave evidence of his filial
love and affection toward her who had made large sacrifice for her children in
their youthful days. Under the caption "Remembering the Poor," the Minneapolis
Journal printed the following editorial: "If a man's character is shown in his
life, it is also shown in his death and will. Judged in this way John P. Nash,
Minneapolis attorney and real estate man, proves to be a kind-hearted and
public-spirited citizen. The estate left by Mr. Nash was not large as estates
go. But by generous forethought he makes it go much further in aid of public
welfare than many larger estates. After providing for his immediate family and
friends the Nash will stipulates that the estate shall eventually be used for
the relief of the poor and needy in Minneapolis. The memory of the mother is to
be honored by a permanent memorial, and large provision is made for the
permanent support of charitable relief in this city. It is said that Mr. Nash's
wise and generous will reflects his early boyhood struggles to support himself
and his widowed mother. Too many men, when success comes to them in middle life,
forget these early struggles and those of widows and orphans. It is a good
memory that opens the heart and purse to generous aid of the poor and needy,
after the family is amply provided for." There are few, indeed, who have more
fully realized the Christian principle of the brotherhood of mankind and the
obligations thereby imposed, than did John P. Nash and as husband and father,
friend and benefactor, his name is honored wherever he was known.