James Robinson (North Dakota)
James Robinson (May 11, 1843 - March 22, 1933) was a Justice of the North Dakota Supreme Court from 1917 to 1922.
Born in Michigan, Robinson began his education in Canada, where he taught school for a short time.[1] He enlisted in the Union Army and served during the Civil War.[2] He graduated from the Michigan State University School of Law on March 5, 1868 and thereafter engaged in the private practice of law in Wisconsin until 1883, including a term as District Attorney of Trempealeau County.[1] He then moved to Fargo, in the Dakota Territory, where he resumed his private practice until 1916, when, at the age of 73, he was elected to a six-year term on the North Dakota Supreme Court. While serving as a Justice, he wrote a weekly "Saturday Evening Letter" column about the work of the court for the Bismarck Tribune.[2] He became Chief Justice of North Dakota in 1921, but was defeated in a reelection attempt in 1922. He then returned to the practice of law until poor health forced his retirement, in 1931.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 North Dakota Supreme Court Justices: James Robinson, Justice of the Supreme Court, 1917-1922.
- 1 2 University of North Dakota, Judge J. E. Robinson Papers, 1916-1921.