Josiah Alexander Van Orsdel

Josiah Alexander Van Orsdel (November 17, 1860 – August 7, 1937) was a United States federal judge.

Born in New Bedford, Pennsylvania, Van Orsdel received an A.B. from Westminster College in 1885 and read law to enter the bar in 1890. He was a County and prosecuting attorney of Laramie County, Wyoming from 1892 to the present. Member, Wyoming State House of Representatives, 1894-. He was the state attorney general of Wyoming from 1898 to 1905. He was an Associate justice, Supreme Court of Wyoming from 1905 to 1906. He was an Assistant U.S. attorney general from 1906 to 1907.

Van Orsdel was a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. Van Orsdel received a recess appointment from President Theodore Roosevelt on November 14, 1907, to a seat vacated by Louis E. McComas. Formally nominated on December 3, 1907. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 12, 1907, and received his commission the same day. Van Orsdel served in that capacity until August 7, 1937, due to his death.

Van Orsdel joined the Sons of the American Revolution (District of Columbia Society) in May 1921; served as President of the D.C. Society 1924-25, National Vice President General 1925-27, and President General 1930-31 and again 1931-32, filling the vacancy caused by the death of his successor.

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