Otero, Miguel Antonio, 1859-1944

Born in St. Louis, Mo. in 1849. His family moved to New Mexico in 1851. Otero's first job was working as a bookkeeper wit the family firm, Otero, Sellar & Company. He entered politics in 1883 as City Treasurer of Las Vegas. In 1897 he was appointed Territorial Governor of New Mexico, remained so until 1906. He remained active in politics throughout his life. By 1920 he switched from the Republican to the Democratic Party. He also had a career as a writer. His stories about his experiences in territorial New Mexico were printed in national magazines and several of his books were published.

Photo of Miguel Antonio Otero. Part of M.A. Otero Pictorial Collection, PICT 000-021, (Box 2, Folder 10).

Miguel A. Otero was born in St. Louis, Missouri, October 17, 1849. His parents, who had temporarily relocated to St. Louis, returned to New Mexico when Miguel was two years old. Educated at local schools and at Notre Dame, Otero took his first job working as a bookkeeper with the family firm, Otero, Sellar and Company. He later worked at the San Miguel National Bank, then entered politics in 1883 as City Treasurer of Las Vegas. Serving as clerk in various court offices and involved in the Republican party, Otero moved into a recognizable position in New Mexico state politics. In 1897, by serendipitous circumstance, Otero was appointed Territorial Governor of New Mexico. He was reappointed and remained governor until 1906.

Remaining active in politics throughout his life, Otero attended national conventions and served in a number of appointments including a term as U.S. Marshal of the Panama Canal Zone, 1917-1921. Over time he became disenchanted with the Republicans. He followed Teddy Roosevelt to the Progressive party, attending their national convention in 1912. By 1920 he switched to the Democrats, where he served as a member of the Democratic National Committee.

While his commitment to politics remained strong, Otero's desire to tell of his experiences in territorial New Mexico led to a prolific career as a writer. His stories were printed in national magazines and several of his books were published, most notably, My Life on The Frontier (New York: The Press of the Pioneers, 1935-1939), My Nine Years as Governor (Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1940), and The Real Billy the Kid (New York: R.R. Wilson, 1936.)