Mechem, Edwin L., 1912-

Edwin Leard Mechem was born to Edwin Mechem and Eunice Leard Mechem on 2 July 1912 in Alamogordo, New Mexico. He was educated at New Mexico State University and the University of Arkansas Law School. He practiced law in Las Cruces; was an FBI agent during WWII; was elected to the state legislature in 1946; and served four terms as governor of New Mexico (1951-54; 1957-58; 1961-62). In 1962 he was appointed to the U.S. Senate filling Dennis Chávez's seat upon his death but lost re-election in 1964. From 1970 on, Mechem served on the U.S. District Court bench until his death in November 2002 in Albuquerque.

From the guide to the Edwin L. Mechem Correspondence, 1952-1964, (Museum of New Mexico. Fray Angélico Chávez History Library.)