Judge Guy C. H. Corliss, one of the most learned members of the legal profession in North Dakota, has gained his knowledge and high station by dint of his own efforts. He has studied always with the idea of strengthening his mind and character, and be now stands at the head of the North Dakota bar. Mr. Corliss has resided in Grand Forks since the fall of 1886, and counts every man as his friend who has ever known him. A portrait of Judge Corliss appears on another page of this volume.
Our subject was born at Poughkeepsie, New York, July 4, 1858. His father, Cyrus K. Corliss, was a lawyer, and was born at Ballston Springs, New York, and moved to Poughkeepsie about 1840.
Mr. Corliss was graduated from the Poughkeepsie high school at the age of fourteen years, and has attended no schools since that time. He then became clerk in a store, and began the study of law in June, 1876, in the office of J. S. Van Cleef, and was admitted to the bar in September, 1879, at Brooklyn, New York. He practiced his profession at his old home until the fall of 1886, when he removed to Grand Forks, North Dakota, and entered into partnership with J. H. Bosard, of that city, which partnership continued until the fall of 1889, when our subject was elected judge of the supreme court and became first chief justice. He served on the bench until August 15, 1898, when he resigned. He was re-nominated for the supreme bench by all of the political parties in 1892, and had no opposition to his candidacy.
Mr. Corliss was married April 6, 1883, Miss Effie V. Edson, of Clifton Springs, New York, becoming his wife. Four children, three sons and one daughter, have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Corliss. Judge Corliss was made dean of the law school of the University of North Dakota in the summer of 1889. As a practitioner he is well read, and as a judge he has no superiors in the state. He has a quick and comprehensive mind, is earnest in convictions and able in his assertions, and devotes himself to the interests entrusted to his care, and too much cannot be said of him as a practitioner and citizen.
Source: Compendium and History of North Dakota 1900 Page 204