Martin Donald Van Oosterhout
Encyclopedia
Martin Donald Van Oosterhout (October 10, 1900 – January 28, 1979) was a legislator and state court judge in northwestern Iowa, and a United States federal judge
on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
.
Van Oosterhout was born in Orange City, Iowa
. He received a B.A.
from State University of Iowa in 1922, and a J.D.
from the University of Iowa College of Law
in 1924. He was in private practice in Orange City from 1924 to 1933. In the last four of those years (from 1929 to 1933) he also served as a Republican member of the Iowa House of Representatives
. He was a judge on the 21st Judicial District of Iowa from 1933 to 1954.
On August 16, 1954, Van Oosterhout was nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower
to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
vacated when a fellow Iowan, Seth Thomas
, assumed senior status
. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
on August 20, 1954, and received his commission on August 26, 1954. He served as chief judge of the Eighth Circuit from 1968 to 1970. He assumed senior status on July 6, 1971, and served in that capacity until his death on January 28, 1979.
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* Eastern District of Arkansas* Western District of Arkansas...
.
Van Oosterhout was born in Orange City, Iowa
Orange City, Iowa
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,582 people, 1,719 households, and 1,285 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,808.5 people per square mile . There were 1,805 housing units at an average density of 584.8 per square mile...
. He received a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from State University of Iowa in 1922, and a J.D.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from the University of Iowa College of Law
University of Iowa College of Law
The University of Iowa College of Law is one of the eleven professional graduate schools at the University of Iowa, located in Iowa City, Iowa. Founded in 1865, it is the oldest law school in continuous operation west of the Mississippi River. The law school was ranked as the 27th best law school...
in 1924. He was in private practice in Orange City from 1924 to 1933. In the last four of those years (from 1929 to 1933) he also served as a Republican member of the Iowa House of Representatives
Iowa House of Representatives
The Iowa House of Representatives is the lower house of the Iowa General Assembly. There are 100 members of the House of Representatives, representing 100 single-member districts across the state with populations of approximately 29,750 for each constituency...
. He was a judge on the 21st Judicial District of Iowa from 1933 to 1954.
On August 16, 1954, Van Oosterhout was nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
The United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts in the following districts:* Eastern District of Arkansas* Western District of Arkansas...
vacated when a fellow Iowan, Seth Thomas
Seth Thomas (judge)
Seth Thomas was a federal judge. Born in McConnelsville, Ohio, he did not get a college degree until he was 31, receiving a Ph.B. from the University of Iowa in 1904. He remained at the University of Iowa for his graduate work, receiving a master's degree in 1906 and a law degree in 1910...
, assumed senior status
Senior status
Senior status is a form of semi-retirement for United States federal judges, and judges in some state court systems. After federal judges have reached a certain combination of age and years of service on the federal courts, they are allowed to assume senior status...
. He was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on August 20, 1954, and received his commission on August 26, 1954. He served as chief judge of the Eighth Circuit from 1968 to 1970. He assumed senior status on July 6, 1971, and served in that capacity until his death on January 28, 1979.