Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
KNIGHT, William J.: Difference between revisions
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In 1869 Knight was elected to his first term as mayor. He was eventually elected three times and held office when the city issued the water works franchise. | In 1869 Knight was elected to his first term as mayor. He was eventually elected three times and held office when the city issued the water works franchise. | ||
In 1872 as one of three attorneys who made up the Code Commissioners, Knight was assigned the task of codifying the criminal laws of Iowa. | In 1872 as one of three attorneys who made up the Code Commissioners, Knight was assigned the task of codifying the criminal laws of Iowa. He ran successfully for the legislature in 1880 and was elected to the state senate in 1885. | ||
[[Image:knight.png|right|thumb|350px|]] | [[Image:knight.png|right|thumb|350px|]] | ||
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Revision as of 03:52, 17 August 2011
KNIGHT, William J. (Kilkenny, Ireland, Mar. 3, 1838-Dubuque, IA, Feb. 23, 1908). MAYOR. Knight, partner in the law firm of Griffith and Knight, was one of the first attorneys to establish a practice in Dubuque. Knight studied law in the office of Jeffrey M. GRIFFITH during the years 1855 and 1856. In 1857 after successfully passing the bar examination at the age of nineteen, Knight joined his former teacher as a partner.
During his legal career, Knight participated in several of the most significant cases of his time. The case of Dubuque Elevator Company vs Illinois Central Railroad involved a claim of $400,000 and resulted in the largest legal fee ever paid to that date.
In 1869 Knight was elected to his first term as mayor. He was eventually elected three times and held office when the city issued the water works franchise.
In 1872 as one of three attorneys who made up the Code Commissioners, Knight was assigned the task of codifying the criminal laws of Iowa. He ran successfully for the legislature in 1880 and was elected to the state senate in 1885.
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Source:
History of Dubuque County Iowa. Chicago: Western History Company, 1880