Miguel Antonio OTERO, Congress, NM (1829-1882)

OTERO, Miguel Antonio, (uncle of Mariano Sabino Otero), a Delegate from the Territory of New Mexico; born in Valencia, N.Mex., June 21, 1829; attended private and parochial schools and St. Louis University, Missouri; was graduated from Pingree’s College, Fishkill, N.Y., and later became a member of the faculty; returned to St. Louis, Mo.; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1851 and commenced practice in Albuquerque, N.Mex., in 1852; member of the Territorial house of representatives 1852-1854; attorney general for the Territory of New Mexico in 1854; successfully contested as a Democrat the election of Jóse M. Gallegos to the Thirty-fourth Congress and served from July 23, 1856, to March 3, 1857; reelected to the Thirty-fifth and Thirty-sixth Congresses (March 4, 1857-March 3, 1861); was not a candidate for renomination in 1860; delegate to the Democratic National Convention at Charleston, S.C., in 1860; appointed by President Lincoln as secretary of the Territory of New Mexico and Acting Governor in 1861, and served for one year; engaged in mercantile pursuits at Westport Landing (now Kansas City), Mo., 1861-1864, and at several other places in the West until 1877; interested in the construction of railroads and engaged in banking; unsuccessful candidate for election in 1880 to the Forty-seventh Congress; died in Las Vegas, N.Mex., May 30, 1882; interment in Riverside Cemetery, Denver, Colo.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present