Merritt Mechem

Biography of Merritt C. Mechem, governor from January 1921 to January 1923.

Born at Ottawa, Kans., October 10, 1870, a son of Homer Clark and Martha Shannon (Davenport) Mechem; attended the public schools in Ottawa and Ottawa University; studied law and for a time attended Kansas University; admitted to the bar at Fort Smith, Ark., in 1895; on March 23, 1903, moved to Tucumcari, N. Mex.; became interested in business as well as law practice in that community; March 16, 1905, became Territorial district attorney, serving until 1907; in 1909 was elected to the Territorial Council of New Mexico; appointed a judge of the Territorial supreme court; served as district judge from 1911 to 1920; Governor of the State of New Mexico from January 1921 to January 1923; married Miss Eleanor Frances O’Hier at Chicago, Ill., on February 12, 1910. Died May 24, 1946, Albuquerque, N. Mex.

 

Merritt Mechem; Governor; Statehood period