John Emmett Carland

Born on December 11, 1853, in Oswego County, New York, Carland attended the University of Michigan and read law in 1877. He entered private practice in Bismarck, Dakota Territory (now North Dakota) starting in 1877, and served as city attorney for Bismarck. He also served as county attorney for Burleigh County, Dakota Territory (now North Dakota). He was the United States Attorney for the Dakota Territory from 1885 to 1888. He returned to private practice in Sioux Falls, Dakota Territory (State of South Dakota from November 2, 1889) from 1889 to 1895. He served as a special assistant to the United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota.[1]

Carland received a recess appointment from President Grover Cleveland on August 31, 1896, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota vacated by Judge Alonzo J. Edgerton. He was nominated to the same position by President Cleveland on December 8, 1896. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 15, 1896, and received his commission the same day. His service terminated on February 6, 1911, due to his elevation to the Commerce Court and Eighth Circuit.[1]

Carland was nominated by President William Howard Taft on December 12, 1910, to the United States Commerce Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit and the United States Circuit Courts for the Eighth Circuit, to a new joint seat authorized by 36 Stat. 539. He was confirmed by the Senate on January 31, 1911, and received his commission the same day. On December 31, 1911, the Circuit Courts were abolished and he thereafter served on the Commerce Court and Court of Appeals. On December 13, 1913, the Commerce Court was abolished and he thereafter served only on the Court of Appeals. His service terminated on November 11, 1922, due to his death in Washington, D.C.[1]

• John Emmett Carland at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.