Edwin R. McNeill explained

Edwin R. McNeill, Jr.
Birth Name:Edwin R. McNeill
Birth Date:January 5, 1880
Birth Place:Onawa, Iowa
Death Date:1962
Death Place:Pawnee, Oklahoma
Other Names:Edwin Ruthven McNeill
Occupation:Teacher, attorney, judge
Known For:Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court (1931)

Edwin Ruthven McNeill, Jr. (January 5, 1880 – September 22, 1962) was a justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court from 1931 to 1937, representing District 6.[1] He also served as chief justice from 1934 to 1936.[2]

Early life and education

Edwin R. McNeill, Jr. was born January 5, 1880[3] to Edwin Ruthven McNeill, Sr. (1842-1907) and his wife, Louisa Irene Younkin, (1847-1925), who had married on May 5, 1868, and settled near Onawa, Monona County, Iowa. Edwin, Sr. and Louisa had eleven children.

Edwin Jr. was employed as a teacher in Monona County's Ashton Township in 1900. He received a bachelor's degree from the University of Minnesota in 1905, then earned a degree in law from Chicago-Kent College of Law. On September 3, 1913, he married Louise Clark. Edwin and Louise had no children. The couple moved to Pawnee County, Oklahoma in 1916. When the U.S. became involved with World War I, Edwin was named chairman of the Pawnee County Draft Board. His wife was appointed chairmwoman of the Military Relief Committee.

Career in law

Edwin ran for, and was elected to, two terms as judge for the Pawnee and Tulsa County District, serving from 1923 to 1931. During his tenure, he helped establish the Pawnee County Law Library and set up a policy allowing visitors and out-of-town lawyers to use it without charge. In 1923 he was assigned to Redfearn v. American Central Insurance Company, an action in Tulsa riot race. In 1931, he was appointed as Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, serving through 1937. From 1934 to 1936, he served as chief justice.[2]

Death

McNeill died in Pawnee, Oklahoma from an apparent heart attack at the age of 82.[2]

Notes and References

  1. http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/mcnamee-mcpheeters.html "McNamee-McPherrin. The Political Graveyard.
  2. "Former Justice Dies at Pawnee", The Daily Oklahoman (September 23, 1962), p. 4-A.
  3. Harlow, Victor Emanuel, Makers of Government in Oklahoma, Harlow Publishing Company. Oklahoma City (1930) p. 652. Available on Google Books. Accessed May 10, 2020.