Harry Vearle Payne

Harry Vearle Payne (September 6, 1908 – July 20, 1983) was a United States federal judge.

Born in Colonia Dublán, Mexico, Payne read law to enter the bar in 1934 and raised his family in the Lordsburg area of southwestern New Mexico. He served many years in the New Mexico Legislature as a senator and state representative, and as Speaker of the House from 1945 to 1947. He was a District judge, Sixth Judicial District of New Mexico from 1957 to 1963.

On February 18, 1963, Payne was nominated by President John F. Kennedy to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico vacated by Carl A. Hatch. Payne was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 19, 1963, and received his commission on March 27, 1963. He served as chief judge from 1964 to 1978, assuming senior status on April 6, 1978 and serving in that capacity until his death.

Sources

• Harry Vearle Payne at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.