William S. Lauder

Judge Lauder was born in Yates Center, New York, February 9, 1854. He came with his parents to a farm near River Falls, Wisconsin. He was educated in the schools of River Falls and attended the St. Croix Collegiate Institute at River Falls. He apprenticed himself to Wellington Van Etta, a Wisconsin lawyer and studied law. After completing his studies and having been admitted to the Bar, he moved to Wahpeton, North Dakota, where he practiced law. In 1884 he was elected Probate Judge of Richland County, after serving one term in that office, he became District Attorney, which office he held for four years. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1889, where the State Constitution was prepared, and arrangements were made for the separation of the Dakota Territory. Soon after the Constitutional Convention he was appointed Judge of the Fourth Judicial District by Governor John Miller, he served in that capacity until 1904. Judge Lauder died on May 17, 1931.