Lawrence Weldon
From the book Lincoln the Lawyer
Judge of the Court of Claims
In office November 24, 1883 – April 10, 1905
Appointed by	Chester A. Arthur
Preceded by	Bancroft Davis
Succeeded by	George W. Atkinson
Personal details
Born	Lawrence Weldon (1829-08-09)August 9, 1829 Zanesville, Ohio
Died	April 10, 1905(1905-04-10) (aged 75) Washington, D.C.
Education	Wittenberg College read law

Lawrence Weldon (August 9, 1829 – April 10, 1905) was an Illinois attorney and politician and a judge of the Court of Claims.

Born on August 9, 1829, in Zanesville, Ohio,^[1] Weldon attended the public schools and Wittenberg College in Springfield, Ohio.^[2] He served as clerk for the Secretary of State of Ohio from 1853 to 1854.^[1] He read law while working for Judge Richard A. Harrison and was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1854.^[2] He entered private practice in Clinton, Illinois from 1854 to 1861.^[1] During this time he became acquainted with Stephen A. Douglas, who introduced him to Abraham Lincoln.^[2] He was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives in 1861.^[1] He was appointed United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois by President Abraham Lincoln, serving from 1861 to 1866.^[1] He resumed private practice in Bloomington, Illinois from 1867 to 1883.^[1]

Weldon received a recess appointment from President Chester A. Arthur on November 24, 1883, to a seat on the Court of Claims (later the United States Court of Claims) vacated by Judge Bancroft Davis.^[1] He was nominated to the same position by President Arthur on December 12, 1883.^[1] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 18, 1883, and received his commission the same day.^[1] His service terminated on April 10, 1905, due to his death in Washington, D.C.^[1] He was succeeded by Judge George W. Atkinson.^[1]

In December 1854, Weldon wed Mary Jane Howard, and had two children.^[2]

• Federal Judicial Center entry on Lawrence Weldon
• The United States Court of Claims : a history / pt. 1. The judges, 1855-1976 / by Marion T. Bennett / pt. 2. Origin, development, jurisdiction, 1855-1978 / W. Cowen, P. Nichols, M.T. Bennett. Washington, D.C.: Committee on the Bicentennial of Independence and the Constitution of the Judicial Conference of the United States. 1976.