Justice Alfred Wallin (N.D. Supreme Court)

On this date in 1836, Justice Alfred Wallin was born in Gilbertsville, New York. Raised in Michigan and later Chicago, Wallin followed in the familty business of leather tannery. However, to further his prospects, Wallin entered Elgin Academy in 1857 where he began his study of law. Ultimately, Wallin graduated the University of Michigan law school in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1862. In that same year, Wallin was admitted to the Bar in Michigan and Illinois. However, national events interfered. In 1861, while Wallin was in law school, his studies were interupted for a time when he had to serve in the Union Army. The Union Army would again call on Wallin’s service in 1862. Wallin re-enlisted in 1864 and served until he was mustered out of the service in 1865. After the Civil War, Wallin moved to Minnesota where he practiced in St. Peter and then Redwood. While there Wallin served as County Attorney in both Nicollet and Redwood counties. In 1883, Wallin moved west to Fargo which was then in the Dakota Territory. When statehood was imminent in 1889, Wallin ran successfully to become one of the first three justices on the North Dakota Supreme Court. Wallin was reelected to his seat in 1896. Justice Wallin retired from the bench after serving his second term on December 31, 1902. He turned down renomination for the seat because of his increasing deafness. Justice Wallin died on January 9, 1923 at age 86 in Santa Monica, California.