Homer B. Dibell, Associate Justice 1918-1934

JUSTICE DIBELL OF SUPREME COURT DIES OF HEART ATTACK

Career of 70-Year-Old Duluthian Ends in St. Paul Hospital as He Lies Asleep.

Homer B. Dibell, aged 70, Duluth, associate justice of the Minnesota state supreme court for sixteen  years, died in his sleep about 1 a. m. today in a St. Paul hospital.

He had been in ill health for the last six months and confined to the hospital for two weeks. Death was due to heart disease.

Edwin Dibell, Wolcott, Ind., a brother, and Justice Dibell's only surviving relative, had been with him until last night. He had returned to his home when Mr. Dibell's condition appeared much improved. The justice was unmarried.

Arrangements for the funeral will be made after the return of Judge Dibell's brother, according to word received by Judge Bert Fesler of district court, whose son, John Fesler, Minneapolis, is arranging the details.

EARLY CAREER.

Justice Dibell was admitted to the bar in Duluth in 1890 and in 1898 was elected judge of the district court here. He was appointed to the supreme court bench in 1918.

Born in Fillmore county in 1864 he was graduated from the University of Indiana in 1889 and from the Northwestern law school in Chicago in 1890.

He resigned as district judge in April, 1913, to accept an appointment as commissioner of the supreme court of Minnesota and continued in that office until appointed associate justice in 1918.

While serving on the supreme court bench Judge Dibell maintained his residence at Duluth but resided at Hotel St. Paul in St. Paul.

WAS MASON.

He was a life member of Ionia lodge, No. 186, A. F. & A. M. of  Duluth.

Justice Dibell was regarded by lawyers about the state as having one of the keenest legal minds ever in the state supreme court. He was reputed to be the hardest working member of the bench, arriving at his chambers at 6:30 a. m. each day and working beyond the usual closing hours. A bachelor and a recluse, he sought few friendships and spent practically all of his leisure time in study.

LOSS TO COURT.

"Minnesota has lost a great jurist and a great man," said Chief Justice John P. Daveney [sic] when he learned of Justice Dibell's death. "Thousands of lawyers throughout the state will count his death as a personal loss. No man in the history of the court gave more unflaggingly of his energy than Justice Dibell. Minnesota joins with Duluth and the iron range in mourning the loss of a great man."

His death makes necessary a second appointment to the supreme court bench by Governor Floyd B. Olson. The first appointment was made last fall when Governor Olson named John P. Devaney, Minneapolis, chief justice, to succeed Samuel B. Wilson, resigned.