Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-11-05
THE ATTORNEY GENRALsHIP.
A Sketch of John W. Willis, the Demo
cratic Nominee.

cratic Nominee.
The Democratic state ticket contains the
name of young lawyer of st. Paul, John
W. Willis, for the position of attorney gen
eral. Mr.. Willis is deserving the most
cordial support of his party, and should re-
ceive special recognition from the voters
of his native city. As the rapid growth of
st. Paul prevents any man from being
known by all, we append the following
sketch:
Mr.. John W. Willis was born in st. Paul,
Mimi, July Il, 1854, and entered the com
mon schools of this city. Passing through
all the grades, he graduated at The st. Paul
High school, June, 1873. From there he
entered the State university at Minneapolis
as a freshman in the autumn of the same
year. After remaining short time in this
institution, he entered upon course of
special study with Rev. Edward D. Neill,
now president of Manchester college.
Under the tutorship of this gentleman, Mr..
Willis pursued an extensive and thorough
study of the classics, eliciting the admira-
ton of his preceptor by his en-
thusiasm and accuracy. He be-
came sophomore in Dartmouth
college in August. 1874. After three years
close attention to his studies, Mr.. Willis
graduated with distinction in June, 1877.
While pursuing his studies in Dartmouth,
Mr.. Willis contributed to the columns of
campaign paper in ST. Paul DAILY
T5mes) and his editorials on political
questions excited considerable comment.
From Dartmouth he returned to his native
city and entered upon the study of law in
the Office of Gilman & Clough. In the sum
mer of 1873, by a unanimous vote of the
board of education, he was elected in
structor of Latin and Greek in the ST.
Paul High school, which position he oc-
cupied for one year, and, although urged
by the board to remain, he declined re-
appointment and retired from educational
labors endorsed by o resolution
of the board testifying to
his profound classical attain
ments, elegant scholarship and ample
qualifications as a disciplinarian. On the
18th of October, 1879, he presented him
self in the supreme court for examination
as an applicant for admission to the bar
The examining committee consisted of
Attorney General Geo. P. Wilson, Hon. @.
2. Flaudrau and j. Peyton Boyle, Eco.
The report of the examining committee
was published in full in the daily papers
and was substantially, as follows: ave
find Mr.. Willis admirably qualified for ad-
mission to this bar aud consider that he
has passed the most creditable exsmina-
ton within our experience" In granting
the motion for admission, the chief justice
Hon. James Gilflian remarked that
the court concurred with the opinion
of the committee relative to the qualifca-
tons of Mr.. Willis, and further compli-
mented him on his high legal attainments
He remained in the office of Messrs Gil
man il Clough until 1880, when he opened
law Office himself for the practice of law,
since which time his business has been
rapidly increasing, and at the present his
practice will compare favorably with that
of any attorney in the city, and comprises
cases in all branches of law. One of the
most notable cases with which he has been
connected was that of The State vs. Ole
Sorenson, indicted for murder and tried in
the district court OF the county OF Ramsey.
In his defense of the prisoner. who was
subsequently, acquitted of the Indictment
and convicted of a minor crime, Mr.. Willis
displayed considerable ability and won
for himself marked distinction and
reputation as criminal lawyer. On the
18th of May, 1882. Mr.. Willis married
Miss Eleanor R. Forsyth, very estimsbIe
lady of this city, and settled at 652 Waba-
shaw street, where he now resides. His
| library Is one of the largest in the state
and embraces the works of all the leading
law writers in every branch of jurispru-
dence and large and valuable collection
of reports. Atthe recent state convention
of the Democrats, Mr.. Willis was nonin-
ated for the office of attorney general.
| Although young man, he is thorough
believer il Jeffersonian principles, an anti
mouopolist to the core, hater of shams
AID snobbery and g man of bro and
| liberal views. His father, MI G. l. Willis,
q Law graduate of Harvard, was one of
| tie early settlers IN Minnesota and edited
the first Democratic paper published in
this state.