William S. Ervin

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Ervin c. 1936

William S. Ervin (September 4, 1886 – April 2, 1951) was an American attorney and politician from Minnesota. A member of the Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party, he is most notable for his service as Attorney General of Minnesota from 1936 to 1939.

Biography[edit]

William Sterling Ervin[1] was born in Birmingham, Iowa[2] on September 4, 1886.[3] He was the son of Robert Milton Ervin and Malzena (Cole) Ervin,[4] and his family moved to Minnesota when he was six months old.[3] Ervin graduated from high school in Mankato, Minnesota.[3] He then attended the University of Minnesota Law School, from which he graduated with an LL.B. degree in 1910.[3][5]

Ervin attained admission to the bar in 1910 and practiced in Sandstone, Minnesota.[2] A member of the Minnesota Farmer–Labor Party, he served as county attorney of Pine County from 1914 to 1918.[2] In 1919, he moved to Minneapolis.[2] From 1933 to 1936, Ervin served as Assistant Attorney General of Minnesota.[2] In 1936, he was appointed Attorney General when Harry H. Peterson resigned to accept appointment to the Minnesota Supreme Court, and he served until 1939.[3][6] He was an unsuccessful candidate for election to the position in 1938.[7]

After leaving the attorney general's office, Ervin resumed the practice of law.[2] During World War II, he was a United States Commissioner authorized to perform certain judicial functions of Minnesota's federal district court.[8] From 1943 to 1947 he served as assistant commissioner of the land office for Hennepin County, and he served as commissioner from 1947 to 1949.[2]

After leaving the land commissioner's office, Ervin continued to practice law and reside in Minneapolis.[2] He died in Minneapolis on April 2, 1951, after suffering a heart attack while walking on a street near his home.[2] He was buried at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis.[9]

Family[edit]

In 1914, Ervin married Elsie L. Orth.[10] He was survived by his wife, daughter Betty, and son Robert.[9]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards".
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Ex-State Official W. S. Erwin Dies".
  3. ^ a b c d e Legislative Manual (1937).
  4. ^ "1900 U.S. Federal Census".
  5. ^ "Degrees Granted in 1910".
  6. ^ "Olsen Gives Up Place on Bench, Ervin Elevated".
  7. ^ "State Returns".
  8. ^ "Student Arraigned on Draft Charge".
  9. ^ a b "W. S. Ervin, Former State Official, Dies".
  10. ^ "Minnesota Marriages Index".

Sources[edit]

Newspapers[edit]

  • "Olsen Gives Up Place on Bench, Ervin Elevated". Minneapolis Star. Minneapolis, MN. November 28, 1936. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  • "State Returns". Minneapolis Star. Minneapolis, MN. November 22, 1938. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  • "Student Arraigned on Draft Charge". Morning Tribune. Minneapolis, MN. October 20, 1943. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  • "Ex-State Official W. S. Erwin Dies". Winona Republican-Herald. Winona, MN. Associated Press. April 3, 1951. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  • "W. S. Ervin, Former State Official, Dies". Minneapolis Star. Minneapolis, MN. April 3, 1951. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.

Books[edit]

Internet[edit]

Magazines[edit]

Party political offices
Preceded by Farmer-Labor nominee for Attorney General of Minnesota
1938 		Succeeded by
David J. Erickson
Legal offices
Preceded by Minnesota Attorney General
1936–1939 		Succeeded by
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