The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-12-22
Pioneer Jurist and Editor Long a
Notable, Lately a Pathetic
Figure.

Atwater. ! iztEs$@ s $$.#S SIS ~ :.
!. About five years ago Judge Atwater
was seized with al aintness in his Of
indicate an Immediate snd. He was. re,
moved to his apartme nts and in a few
days resumed his dahytIips to the
office a block away Close observers
could see, however, thatsshe was losing
ground physically Sc For several seasons
he walked slowly tosssthe office, at
tended by a faithful servant. AS time
passed his trips were periodical, instead
of daily, and the wagering step became
sorted to an invalid i siair for s trans ns
portation to his work. Gully a few DAYS
ago the familiar figure was seen in the
hotel lobby on hissSWaYs tes his beloved
office, and down Henhepin avenue.
Thru all this fight Judge Atwater re-
tanned clear mind and a hearty grip.
Pioneer Justice.
Only few years ago Judge Lafay-
cite Emmett, another rsof the first su-
preme bench Of which Judge Atwater
was a member, died in the southwest
and was buried a few days ago at
Faribault. Judge Charles Flandrau was
the first member of the. remarkable
trio OF, supreme Justices to die. His
that Of Judge Emmett, and today by
that Of Judge Atwatsr. E. = =,..' =
f. A Native Of New York.
Isaac Atwater was born May 8, 1918,
at Homer, Cortland county, N. Y. His
father was Ezra AtWater, a farmer. a..
native of Connecticut, whose ancestors
came from England and settled in New
Haven about 1748. His mother was
Esther Leaning, also a{native of Con-
necticut. He received his early educa-
ton in the day schools, and at 16 years
Of age he began to prepare for college
at Cazenovia seminary, and later at
Homer academy ~
3 Young Atwater secured an education
unable to assist 4sSaneia ltty1 Il p as
pairing for college He had he money
except what he learned himself by teach
ing school,. He entered Yale in 1910.
Following his graduation, in 1914, he
went to- Macon, Ga, and became an in
structor in private school to earn
enough to meet expenses After a. year
of teaching he entered Yale law school
and remained eighteen months In 1847
he was admitted to the bar Of New
ork city and in 1848 began the prac-
tice of his profession there
Success was assured, but on account
Of i'll health he sought change Of eli
mate. He married Permelia A. Sam
born Of Geddes, N. Y. in 1s4e, and, in
the October Of the following year they
settled in st. Anthony Falls. For
twelve months he was associated with
John w. North in the practice of law.
In 1851 Mr.. EAtwater continued the law
business alone, in connection with the
position of editor Of the ST. Anthony
Express, which paper he continued to
edit for several years. During the year
university by the territorial legislature.
He was member Of the board until
1857, when he was elected associate
judge of the supreme court Of the new
~ created state and resigned from the
board. Governor Ramsey appointed Mr..
Atwater reporter Of the decisions of the
territorial supreme court March Is,
1852. He was nominated district attor-
ney for Hennepin county in September,
1858, and was elected that fall.
I Supreme Court Justice.
At the first state election nomina-
lions were made for judges Of the SUI
| preme court by both political parties,
the candidates of the democratic party
being elected. They were Isaac At
water Of Minneapolis, Charles E. Elan.
drau of Travers DIES Sioux and Lafay-
cite Emmett Of St. Paul. At the time
| of his election to the bench Mr.. Atwa-
ter had the largest practice in the coun-
! tvs Judge Atwater served on the bench
six years. In March, 1864, finding his
salary of the of6ce-then only $4,000
a year, paid in deprecated state or
ders-insufficient flor the support of
his family, he resigned. He had re-
ceiVed lucrative offerzto resume prac-
tice in Carson City, New, and accepted
it without removing his family or IN
tending to make it a permanent resi-:
dence. He opened law office with
Charles E. Flandrau, who also resigned
from the supreme bench of Minnesota,
and remained in the west until the fall
of 1866. when he resumed the practice
of law in Minneapolis in partnership
with Judge Flandrau.
| This partnership was dissolved in
1871, after which Judge Atwater had
an office by himself, and at different
times with Mr.. Babcock and others
until 1886. Since then he had devoted
his time to. private, and real-estate
1 business, maintaining sof late years an
office in the Kasota building.
Settles in Minneapolis.
/ Judge Atwater was very active and
prominent in local public affairs. He
served the city as alderman; was a
member and president Of the Board Of
/ Trade for several years; was also a