But it is neither cannon nor bayonet that will do the worst damage to this city. No, this place will remember the war against our government just as long as there are inhabitants here.

House of Representatives 1883–1889

Nelson served in the United States House of Representatives from March 4 1883 to March 4 1889 in the 48th 49th and 50th congresses. He eased up on patronage as a political tool and focused instead on helping his constituents in matters small and large often invoking the image of himself as a "drayhorse" – a hard-working persistent advocate for the things and people he believed in. First Senate term
The 54th United States Congress did not convene until December 1895 and though Nelson was impatient about getting to work he spent the recess traveling and working on his farm.

House of Representatives and the US Senate from Minnesota and he served as the 12th Governor of Minnesota. S. Knute Nelson also known as Knud Evanger (February 2 1843 – April 28 1923) was a Norwegian-American attorney and politician active in both Wisconsin and Minnesota.