Background
Lansden was born in Beaver County, Oklahoma, on July 8, 1907.
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Merle Lansden
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Lansden was the first district judge under a new system of appointment. He was also a Speaker of the
He earned his law degree from the University of Oklahoma Law School and was admitted to the bar in 1939. Lansden served in the United States Marine Corporation from 1942 to 1946 and was discharged with the rank of major.
He served as speaker during a special session of the state legislature in 1944, when Speaker Harold Freeman was undergoing military service.
The special session was called by the Governor Robert South. Kerr to ensure military men and women could participate in the 1944 elections. 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.
Lansden joined the firm of Lansden, Drum, and Goetzinger after finishing his military service until his appointment as a district judge. Lansden was appointed by Governor Dewey Bartlett to serve as a district judget of the 1st Judicial District of Oklahoma.
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.
After his appointment, he was elected twice without opposition, serving until July 1977. Lansden died October 30, 1989, in Norman, Oklahoma.
Membership
Lansden served three terms as a member of the from Beaver County between 1941 and 1947.
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Born
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Died
October 30, 1989 (aged 82) -
Nationality
United States -
Political Party
Democratic party