Robert Dimon Hoskins
1860-1946

Robert Dimon Hoskins, pioneer newspaperman, lawyer, and the first Clerk of Supreme Court of the State of North Dakota, died at Bismarck on January 3, 1946. In failing health for some time, Mr. Hoskins had been up and around until he was suddenly stricken. He was rushed to a Bismarck hospital and lapsed into a coma from which he never recovered, passing away within a few hours after his admission.

Mr. Hoskins was born October 3, 1860 at Bridgeport, Connecticut, the son of Orlando Robert and Rachel Penfield Hoskins. He was reared in the State of Pennsylvania, receiving his academic and college education at Allegheny College, Meadville, -Pennsylvania, from which he graduated in 1881.

Like many from the New England States, Mr. Hoskins decided to seek his fortune in the great Northwest. He came first to Crookston, Minnesota, where he secured employment as a newspaper man. He was later sent by his employer to Bathgate, Dakota Territory, to look into the conduct of a newspaper at that point-The Bathgate Sentinel. Impressed with the opportunities in the then Territory of Dakota, he decided to locate within its borders and on April 26, 1883 took over the editorship of the Sentinel. At Bathgate he met and on November 27, 1884 married Florence M. Armstrong. Mrs. Hoskins died May 21, 1941.

While at Bathgate he met and became the protege and confidant of Senator Judson LaMotnre, one of the strong men of the Territory, and who was destined to play a major role in the early history of the State. Mr. LaMoure, a power in politics, was. largely responsible for the selection of Mr. Hoskins as Clerk of the Supreme Court of the newly created state of North Dakota. During his residence at Bathgate, Mr. Hoskins was admitted to the Bar of the Territory, and by virtue of this admission, he was later and on the 12th day of January, 1892, admitted to the Supreme Court of the State of North Dakota.

Upon the organization of the North Dakota Supreme Court on November 4th, 1889, their first official act was the designation of Mr. Hoskins as clerk, a position he held until his resignation in February, 1917. At about the same time, he was appointed Deputy Clerk of the United States District Court for the Southwestern District, a position he held for over fifty years. During the time he served as Clerk of the Supreme Court, and upon the resignation of Edgar W. Camp as Court reporter, Mr. Hoskins was designated by the Supreme Court to edit Volume 2 of the North Dakota official reports, and that volume bears his name as Reporter. When the 1905 Code was published Mr. Hoskins was selected as one of its editors. Shortly after the outbreak of World War I Mr. Hoskins entered the office of the Adjutant General, G. A. Fraser, and served as an employee of the State Selective Service Board. At the end of the war he stayed on and compiled and edited a World War History, a work containing the service record of every North Dakota man engaged in such war. It is a work remarkable for its completeness and accuracy. During the depression of the thirties Mr. Hoskins served as Purchasing Agent for the Civil Works Administration. During World War II he served as State Chairman of the Salvage Committee of the War Production Board.

In 1898 Mr. Hoskins founded at Bismarck, the Capitol Book Store. Later a greenhouse and floral department were added and the business became known as The Hoskins-Meyer Company. A number of years prior to his passing Mr. Hoskins retired from active participation in this business.

While the Press at the time of his death referred to Mr. Hoskins as a merchant, it was, as evidenced by the previous record of his achievements, in the field of public service that he left his mark on the history of the state. His work and assistance in formulating a set of records and rules for the newly created Supreme Court was of great value and continues to this day. He was a stickler for accuracy and punctuality and took pride in the fact that every letter reaching, his office was, if possible, answered on the day it was received. He was always loyal to the members of the court under whom he served and courteous and helpful to the bar of the state. At the time of his resignation as Clerk of the Supreme Court the members of the Bench and Bar, in appreciation of his many years of faithful service, presented to him an appropriately inscribed watch. (A similar gift was made to Mrs. Hoskins, who for many years served as his deputy and aide.) At such time a testimonial, signed by all living judges under whom Mr. Hoskins
had: served, was presented to him. At the time of these presentations, Judge Christianson-now Chief Justice-said, regarding the services of Mr. Hoskins: “He had but one standard-his best.”

Mr. Hoskins was affiliated with the Masonic Fraternity, Bismarck Lodge B. P. 0. E. and The United Commercial Travelers. He is survived by one son, Brooks Hoskins, and two daughters, Etta, (Mrs. Phil Meyer) and Helen, (Mrs. Glover Dollar), all of Bismarck, and by three grandchildren.

He was laid to rest at St. Marys Cemetery, overlooking the town he had seen grow from a rambling frontier community, to a beautiful, modern city, on January 5th, 1946.