The Supreme Court of the Dakota Territory

In 1861, the Supreme Court of the Dakota Territory was established in Yankton, the Territorial capital. At that time, the population of the Territory was approximately 4,800, however, the demographics of the area did not facilitate an accurate census.

The first Supreme Court of the Dakota Territory convened with chief justice, Philemon Bliss, and two associate justices, George P. Williston and Joseph L. Williams. It is interesting to note that the President of the United States was empowered to appoint the justices of the Dakota Territory; therefore, many of the early justices were directly appointed by Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S. Grant.

The Supreme Court of the Dakota Territory continued with three justices until 1879 when another associate justice was added. The total number of justices then increased to six in 1884 and eight in 1888. A listing of the Territorial chief justices and associate justices and the dates they served follows.

Territorial Justices

A bill known as the "omnibus bill" which was an act dividing the Dakota Territory into the states of North and South Dakota, and enabling the two Dakotas to formulate constitutions was approved February 22, 1889, and a constitutional convention was held at Bismarck beginning July 4, 1889. A constitution was formulated and submitted to a vote of the people of the State of North Dakota on October 1, 1889, and was adopted.