Milton C. Elstner

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
President	Chester A. Arthur
Preceded by	H. B. Talliaferro
Succeeded by	Montfort S. Jones
United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana
In office 1889–1893
President	Benjamin Harrison
Preceded by	Montfort S. Jones
Succeeded by	Charles W. Seals
United States Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana
In office 1898–1910
President	William McKinley
Preceded by	Charles W. Seals
Succeeded by	Edward H. Randolph
Personal details
Born	Milton Casper Elstner (1848-11-14)November 14, 1848 Grant County, Kentucky, U.S.
Died	October 13, 1912(1912-10-13) (aged 63) Shreveport, Louisiana
Spouse	Julia Smoker Elstner (married 1873; died 1936)
Children	5
Parents	William H. Elstner (father) Anna Carter Elstner (mother)
Alma mater	University of Kentucky (Bachelor)(JD)
Nickname	Milt
Military service
Allegiance	Confederate States of America
Branch/service	Confederate States Army
Years of service	1865
Rank	Quartermaster
Unit	3rd Arkansas Infantry Regiment

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