Background
Otis, Merrill E. was born on July 7, 1884 in Nodaway County, Missouri, United States. Son of Newton and Eunice (Cons) Otis.
Otis, Merrill E. was born on July 7, 1884 in Nodaway County, Missouri, United States. Son of Newton and Eunice (Cons) Otis.
Preparatory education, high schools, Hopkins and Maryville, Missouri. Bachelor of Arts, University of Missouri, 1906, honorary fellow in political science, 1906-1907, Master of Arts, 1910, Bachelor of Laws, 1910, Doctor of Laws, 1941. LL.D, Park College, Parkville, Missouri, 1935.
Born in Nodaway County, Missouri, Otis received an Bachelor of Arts from the University of Missouri in 1906, an Master of Arts from the University of Missouri in 1910, and an Bachelor of Laws from the University of Missouri in 1910. He was in private practice in Saint Joseph, Missouri from 1911 to 1921. He was an unsuccessful candidate for United States. House of Representatives in 1914.
He was a first assistant city counselor, Saint Joseph, Missouri, from 1915 to 1916, and first assistant prosecuting attorney of that city from 1917 to 1918.
He was a first assistant state attorney general of Missouri from 1921 to 1923. He chaired the Missouri Public Service Commission from 1923 to 1924.
He was then an assistant to the United States. Solicitor General from 1924 to 1925. On March 23, 1925, Otis received a recess appointment from President Calvin Coolidge to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri vacated by Arba South. Van Valkenburgh.
Formally nominated on December 8, 1925, Otis was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 14, 1925, and received his commission the same day.
Otis served in that capacity until his death.
Member of the board of trustees University of Kansas City. Member American Bar Association (member of council, section legal education. Member of council, section judicial administration, chairman 1941), Missouri, Kansas City and Saint Joseph bar associations, American Judicature Society (vice president), Sons of Revolution (president Knights of Columbus chapter.
Mason, grand orator Missouri Grand Lodge, 1926-1927.
Married Sophie Hersch, October 8, 1916.