Viewing Judge Ira P. Shissler (1844-1903).Judge Ira P. Shissler (1844-1903).Ira Shissler practiced law in Van Wert, Ohio, for almost two decades before moving to Mankato in 1884. He was thirty-nine years old. He practiced with several lawyers, while becoming an energetic supporter of the local Republican party. In 1891, with the party's endorsement, he challenged incumbent Jerome Porter for judge of the Mankato Municipal Court, but lost by a whisker. Two years later, again with the party's backing, he easily defeated Porter. Pointing to the 1885 statute establishing the court and arguing that an 1891 amendment reducing the term of office from 3 years to 2 was unconstitutional because its title did not describe its subject, Porter refused to cede his office, forcing Shissler to bring a quo warranto proceeding in the Supreme Court. He lost. State ex rel. Shissler v. Porter, 53 Minn. 279 (1893). He took office in 1894, and was re-elected three times.
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