Merrill Otis

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Merrill Otis

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Prior offices
United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri

Education

Bachelor's

University of Missouri, 1906

Graduate

University of Missouri, 1910

Law

University of Missouri, 1910

Personal
Birthplace
Missouri


Merrill Otis (1884-1944) was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri.

He received a recess appointment from President Calvin Coolidge on March 23, 1925 to replace Arba Seymour Van Valkenburgh. On December 8, 1925, he was nominated. He was confirmed by the Senate on December 14th, and received commission that same day.[1]He served until his death on December 23, 1944. Otis was succeeded in this position by Albert Ridge.

Early life and education

  • University of Missouri, A.B., 1906
  • University of Missouri, A.M., 1910
  • University of Missouri, LL.B., 1910

Professional career

  • Private practice, St. Joseph, Missouri, 1911-1921
  • Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, 1914
  • First assistant city counselor, St. Joseph, 1915-1916
  • First assistant prosecuting attorney, St. Joseph, Missouri, 1917-1918
  • First assistant state attorney general, Missouri, 1921-1923
  • Chairman, Missouri Public Service Commission, 1923-1924
  • Assistant to the U.S. solicitor general, 1924-1925

Judicial career

Western District of Missouri

Otis received a recess appointment from President Calvin Coolidge on March 23, 1925 to replace Arba Seymour Van Valkenburgh. On December 8, 1925, he was nominated. He was confirmed by the Senate on December 14th, and received commission that same day. He served until his death on December 23, 1944. Otis was succeeded in this position by Albert Ridge.

External links


Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by:
Arba Seymour Van Valkenburgh
Western District of Missouri
1925–1944
Seat #1
Succeeded by:
Albert Ridge