Merrill E. Otis
Encyclopedia
Merrill E. Otis was a United States federal judge
.
Born in Nodaway County, Missouri
, Otis received an A.B.
from the University of Missouri
in 1906, an A.M.
from the University of Missouri
in 1910, and an LL.B. from the University of Missouri
in 1910. He was in private practice in St. Joseph, Missouri from 1911 to 1921. He was a Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in 1914. He was a First assistant city counselor, St. Joseph from 1915 to 1916. He was a First assistant prosecuting attorney of St. Joseph, Missouri from 1917 to 1918. He was a First assistant state attorney general of Missouri from 1921 to 1923. He was a Chairman, Missouri Public Service Commission from 1923 to 1924. He was an Assistant to the U.S. solicitor general from 1924 to 1925.
Otis was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
. Otis received a recess appointment
from Calvin Coolidge on March 23, 1925, to a seat vacated by Arba S. Van Valkenburgh. Formally nominated on December 8, 1925. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
on December 14, 1925, and received his commission the same day. Otis served in that capacity until December 23, 1944, due to his death.
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
.
Born in Nodaway County, Missouri
Nodaway County, Missouri
Nodaway County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. The county was organized in 1845 and named for the Nodaway River.As of 2010, the population was 23,370...
, Otis received an A.B.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
in 1906, an A.M.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
from the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
in 1910, and an LL.B. from the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
in 1910. He was in private practice in St. Joseph, Missouri from 1911 to 1921. He was a Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives in 1914. He was a First assistant city counselor, St. Joseph from 1915 to 1916. He was a First assistant prosecuting attorney of St. Joseph, Missouri from 1917 to 1918. He was a First assistant state attorney general of Missouri from 1921 to 1923. He was a Chairman, Missouri Public Service Commission from 1923 to 1924. He was an Assistant to the U.S. solicitor general from 1924 to 1925.
Otis was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri
The United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri is the federal judicial district encompassing 66 counties in the western half of the State of Missouri...
. Otis received a recess appointment
Recess appointment
A recess appointment is the appointment, by the President of the United States, of a senior federal official while the U.S. Senate is in recess. The U.S. Constitution requires that the most senior federal officers must be confirmed by the Senate before assuming office, but while the Senate is in...
from Calvin Coolidge on March 23, 1925, to a seat vacated by Arba S. Van Valkenburgh. Formally nominated on December 8, 1925. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on December 14, 1925, and received his commission the same day. Otis served in that capacity until December 23, 1944, due to his death.