Chief Justice Gallagher was appointed to the Court by Governor Elmer Benson on February 15, 1937 following the resignation of Chief Justice John Devaney on February 14, 1937 to enter private practice. Gallagher was an attorney from Waseca, former Waseca municipal judge, former Waseca County Attorney, and former Waseca School Board member. Gallagher resigned on January 3, 1944. Governor Edward Thye appointed Associate Justice Charles Loring to fill the vacancy on January 4, 1944.
Bessesen was an attorney from Minneapolis, sitting Minneapolis School Board member, and former North Dakota state Senator (SD 33).