Nelson Rounds was born in New York State on May 4, 1807. Rounds graduated from Hamilton College in Clinton, NY and received a Doctor of Divinity degree from Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA. He was a minister for the Methodist Episcopal Church of the Oneida Conference in NY for 8 years. He held the position of the first editor of the Northern Christian Advocate for four years in Auburn, NY. About 1868 through 1869 Rounds was the president for Willamette University in Salem, OR. About this time his health was failing and his physicians prescribed an outdoor life for him. In 1871 he was elected by the legislature of Washington Territory as Superintendent of Public Instruction. He held this office until about two months prior to his death. He passed away in Clark County, WA on Jan. 2, 1874.
From the description of Washington State Library's collection of Nelson Rounds' papers, 1826-1885. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 431417221
