Merle Lansden
| Merle Landsen | |
|---|---|
| Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives | |
| In office 1944–1944 | |
| Preceded by | Harold Freeman |
| Member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives | |
| In office 1941–1947 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 8, 1907 Beaver County, Oklahoma |
| Died | October 30, 1989 Norman, Oklahoma |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Occupation | judge, lawyer, politician |
Joseph Merle Lansden was an American attorney, judge and politician from the U.S. state of Oklahoma. Lansden was the first district judge under a new system of appointment. He was also a Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.
Early life and education
Lansden was born in Beaver County, Oklahoma, on July 8, 1907.[1] He earned his law degree from the University of Oklahoma Law School and was admitted to the bar in 1939.[1]
Military service
Lansden served in the United States Marine Corp from 1942 to 1946 and was discharged with the rank of major.[1]
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Lansden served three terms as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from Beaver County between 1941 and 1947.[2] He served as speaker during a special session of the state legislature in 1944, when Speaker Harold Freeman was undergoing military service.[3] The special session was called by the Governor Robert S. Kerr to ensure military men and women could participate in the 1944 elections.[3] Lansden's appointment was contentious and a minor revolt ended when he fainted due to exhaustion from travel and earned the sympathy of his fellow legislators.[3]
Law firm
Lansden joined the firm of Lansden, Drum, and Goetzinger after finishing his military service until his appointment as a district judge.[1]
District judge
Lansden was appointed by Governor Dewey Bartlett to serve as a district judget of the 1st Judicial District of Oklahoma.[1] He was the first appointment under a new system in which a commission provided judicial appointees to the governor, who then made his or her selection.[1] After his appointment, he was elected twice without opposition, serving until July 1977.[1]
Death
Lansden died October 30, 1989, in Norman, Oklahoma.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Joseph Merle Lansden obituary, Newsok.com (accessed July 22, 2013)
- ↑ Former State House Speaker Joseph Lansden dies at 82, The Oklahoman, November 2, 1989. (accessed July 22, 2013)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 A Century to Remember, Oklahoma House of Representatives (accessed July 22, 2013)