William H. Atwell
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
In office December 31, 1954 – December 22, 1961
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
In office 1948–1954
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Thomas Davidson
Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas
In office January 9, 1923 – December 31, 1954
Appointed by	Warren G. Harding
Preceded by	Seat established 42 Stat. 837
Succeeded by	Joe Estes
Personal details
Born	William Hawley Atwell (1869-06-09)June 9, 1869 Sparta, Wisconsin, U.S.
Died	December 22, 1961(1961-12-22) (aged 92)
Political party	Republican
Education	Southwestern University ( AB, BS) University of Texas School of Law ( LLB)

William Hawley Atwell (June 9, 1869 – December 22, 1961), frequently known as W. H. Atwell, ^[1] was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas.

Education and career

Born in Sparta, Wisconsin, Atwell received an Artium Baccalaureus degree and Bachelor of Science degree from Southwestern University in 1889, and a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Texas School of Law in 1891. He was in private practice in Dallas, Texas, from 1891 to 1898. He was the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas from 1898 to 1913, thereafter returning to private practice in Dallas until 1924. ^[2] Attwell also ran for Governor of Texas in 1922 as a Republican, but lost in a landslide, only receiving 18% of the vote. ^[3] Atwell also served as the first commissioner for the Dallas Zoo, a position he held from 1912 to 1914. ^{[4] [5]}

Federal judicial service

On December 30, 1922, Atwell was nominated by President Warren G. Harding to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas created by 42 Stat. 837. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on January 9, 1923, and received his commission the same day. He served as Chief Judge from 1948 to 1954, assuming senior status on December 31, 1954. Atwell continued to serve in that capacity until his death on December 22, 1961. ^[2]

References

Sources

• William Hawley Atwell at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.