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 The Supreme Court of Minnesota.

JAMES GILFILLAN.

occupies, and in laying the foundation of the great institution which now confers honor upon the State. In 1852 Mr. Atwater was appointed by Governor Ramsey to the position of Reporter of the Supreme Court of the Territory. In 1853 he was elected district attorney of the county of Hennepin. In 1857 at the first State election he was elected one of the as sociate justices of the Supreme Court, and entered upon the duties of the office early in 1858. In 1864 he resigned, and removed to Carson City, Nevada. After a few years spent in this frontier town, he returned to Minneapolis, where he has since resided. Since retiring from active practice, Judge Atwater has devoted much time to labors of a municipal and educational character, and has held many offices of trust. His judicial record is found in Volumes II. to IX. of the Reports. Chief-Justice Emmett was succeeded by Thomas Wilson. Judge Wilson was a mem ber of the Constitutional Convention of 1857,

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and upon the admission of the State became the first Judge of the Third Judicial District, serving until July 1, 1864. He was born in Tyrone County, Ireland, May 6, 1827, and came to this country when a child. He graduated from Alleghany Col lege, Meadville, Pennsylvania, in 1852. After three years spent in the study of the law, he was admitted to the bar at Meadville, and at once located at Winona, Minnesota, where he soon became known as a successful law yer. Upon the resignation of Judge Flandrau in 1864, Governor Miller appointed Judge Wilson to fill the vacancy. On the 1st of January following, he became ChiefJustice by election, and remained in office until July 14, 1869, when he resigned. Since returning to active practice, Judge Wilson has been universally recognized as one of the leading lawyers of the State. Originally a Republican, he became a Dem ocrat in 1872, and is now one of the leaders of that party in the State. In 1887 he was elected a member of Congress from the first district, and served one term. In 1890 he

CHRISTOPHER G. RIPLEY.