11 Facts About Merle Lansden

Joseph Merle Lansden was an American attorney, judge and politician from the US state of Oklahoma.

Merle Lansden was a Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Merle Lansden was born in Beaver County, Oklahoma, on July 8,1907.

Merle Lansden earned his law degree from the University of Oklahoma Law School and was admitted to the bar in 1939.

Merle Lansden served in the United States Marine Corps from 1942 to 1946 and was discharged with the rank of major.

Merle Lansden served three terms as a member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives from Beaver County between 1941 and 1947.

Merle Lansden served as speaker during a special session of the state legislature in 1944, when Speaker Harold Freeman was undergoing military service.

Merle 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.

Merle Lansden joined the firm of Merle Lansden, Drum, and Goetzinger after finishing his military service until his appointment as a district judge.

Merle Lansden was appointed by Governor Dewey Bartlett to serve as a district judget of the 1st Judicial District of Oklahoma.

Merle Lansden 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.