Leonard Eugene Wales

Who was Leonard Eugene Wales?

Leonard Eugene Wales was a United States federal judge in Delaware.

Born in Wilmington, Delaware, Wales graduated from Yale University in 1845, where he was a member of Skull and Bones, and then read law to enter the bar in 1848. He was an editor of the Delaware State Journal in Wilmington, Delaware from 1848–50, and a clerk of the United States district court and United States circuit court for the District of Delaware from 1849-864. He was also city solicitor for the City of Wilmington from 1853-1854. During the American Civil War, he was a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army, in the First Delaware Volunteers, in 1861.

Wales was made a judge if the Superior Court of Delaware in 1864, and held that position until 1884. He was nominated by President Chester A. Arthur on March 6, 1884, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Delaware vacated by Edward Green Bradford. On March 20, 1884, Wales was confirmed by the United States Senate and received his commission, thereafter serving until his death, in Wilmington.