Wallace Samuel Gourley

Who was Wallace Samuel Gourley?

Wallace Samuel Gourley was a United States federal judge.

Born in Wellsville, Ohio, Gourley received an LL.B. from Ohio State University College of Law in 1929. He was in private practice in Washington, Pennsylvania from 1929 to 1936. He was an Investigator, Retail Credit Company, Washington, Pennsylvania from 1929 to 1936. He was a First assistant district attorney of Washington County, Pennsylvania from 1936 to 1944. He was a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1941 to 1945.

Gourley was a federal judge on the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. Gourley was nominated by President Harry S. Truman on November 2, 1945, to a seat vacated by Frederic P. Schoonmaker. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on November 20, 1945, and received his commission on November 29, 1945. He served as chief judge from 1951 to 1969. He assumed senior status on August 4, 1969. Gourley served in that capacity until September 23, 1976, due to his death.