William J. Kneeshaw

Judge Kneeshaw was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on May 5, 1854. He was educated at the high school affiliated with McGill College and also St. Andrews Academy. He came to Pembina, North Dakota in 1873 and was admitted to the bar in 1879. He served as State's Attorney of Pembina County for many years and also at various times as mayor of Pembina, county commissioner and county treasurer. He was elected Judge of the Seventh Judicial District in November 1900, serving until 1919 when the judicial districts were revised. He was Judge of the Second Judicial District from 1919 until his death on September 23, 1943. He served longer as a district judge than any other judge in state history.