Olin Hatfield Chilson

Who was Olin Hatfield Chilson?

Olin Hatfield Chilson was a United States federal judge.

Born in Pueblo, Colorado, Chilson received an LL.B. from the University of Colorado School of Law in 1927. He was in private practice in La Jara, Colorado in 1927, in Greeley, Colorado from 1927 to 1928, and then in Loveland, Colorado until 1954. He was a District attorney of Eighth Judicial District of Colorado from 1940 to 1948. He was an Assistant secretary of U.S. Department of the Interior from 1956 to 1957, and was a U.S. Undersecretary of Interior from 1957 to 1958. He returned to private practice in Denver, Colorado from 1958 to 1960.

On February 19, 1960, Chilson was nominated by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Colorado vacated by William L. Knous. Chilson was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 1, 1960, and received his commission on March 5, 1960. He assumed senior status on December 31, 1973. Chilson served in that capacity until his death.

Chilson was involved with discussions about the final destiny of Ellis Island while he was with the Interior Department.