Quick Facts
Biography
Harry Walker Wellford (born August 6, 1924) is a Senior Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
Early life
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Wellford earned a bachelor's degree in 1947 from Washington and Lee University and a law degree in 1950 from Vanderbilt University Law School. Wellford served in the US Navy as an ensign from 1944 to 1946 and worked in private legal practice in Memphis from 1950 to 1970.
He also was active in political affairs, managing the successful campaigns of Howard Baker for U.S Senate in 1966 and Winfield Dunn for Governor of Tennessee in 1970. Wellford was married to Katherine Estes Potts Wellford, and they had five children.
Federal judicial service
On November 24, 1970 President Richard Nixon nominated Wellford to a newly created seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee. Wellford was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 11, 1970. On August 4, 1976 President Gerald Ford nominated Wellford to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit to replace William Ernest Miller, who had died on April 12, 1976. Civil rights groups objected to Wellford's nomination and, with the nomination coming so late in Ford's presidency, the United States Senate never took a vote on Wellford's nomination before Ford left office. President Jimmy Carter declined to renominate Wellford when he took office, appointing Gilbert S. Merritt, Jr. instead.
On July 27, 1982 President Ronald Reagan nominated Wellford to a different seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit to replace Bailey Brown, who had taken senior status. The United States Senate confirmed Wellford on August 20, 1982. Wellford took senior status on January 15, 1991.