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.
Bessesen was an attorney from Minneapolis, sitting Minneapolis School Board member, and former North Dakota state Senator (SD 33).
Modeen was an attorney from Minneapolis, GOP candidate for an at-large U.S. House seat in 1932, candidate for the SD 29 special election in December 1932, candidate for Associate Justice of the Supreme Court in 1934, and GOP candidate for Lieutenant Governor in 1936.