William Francis Bailey Sr. (June 20, 1842 – April 5, 1915) was an American lawyer, jurist, and Democratic politician. He was the 6th and 10th mayor of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and served six years as a Wisconsin circuit court judge. During the American Civil War, he served as a Union Army officer in the New York volunteer infantry.
William F. Bailey | |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for the 17th circuit | |
| In office January 4, 1892 – January 3, 1898 | |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | James O'Neill |
| 6th & 10th Mayor of Eau Claire, Wisconsin | |
| In office April 1882 – April 1884 | |
| Preceded by | E. T. Farr |
| Succeeded by | Henry D. Davis |
| In office April 1877 – April 1878 | |
| Preceded by | Levi M. Vilas |
| Succeeded by | George W. Chapman |
| District Attorney of Eau Claire County, Wisconsin | |
| In office January 5, 1874 – January 4, 1876 | |
| Preceded by | Texas Angel |
| Succeeded by | Loren Edwards |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 20, 1842 Carmel, New York, U.S. |
| Died | April 5, 1915 (aged 72) Eau Claire, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Resting place | Oakwood Cemetery, Fremont, Ohio |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses |
|
| Children |
|
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Volunteers Union Army |
| Rank | Captain, USV |
| Unit | |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Early life
Bailey was born on June 20, 1842, in Carmel, New York, son of Benamin Bailey, a lawyer. Bailey came to Eau Claire in 1867 at the age of 25.[1]
Career
During the American Civil War, he served with the Union Army, enlisting as a corporal with the 38th New York Infantry Regiment, he was later commissioned as a captain in the 95th New York Infantry Regiment.
After serving as district attorney of Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, Bailey served as the sixth and tenth mayor of Eau Claire, elected in 1877, 1882, and 1883. In 1890, he was a candidate for the United States House of Representatives from Wisconsin's 8th congressional district. He lost to incumbent Nils P. Haugen.[2] Bailey later served as a state district court judge from the 17th circuit from 1892 to 1898. He was a Democrat.
Personal life
He married twice. His first wife, Mercy, died in 1882.[citation needed] Bailey's second wife, Frances, died in 1943.[citation needed]
Electoral history
Wisconsin Circuit Court (1876)
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Election, April 4, 1876 | |||||
| Nonpartisan | Henry D. Barron | 2,673 | 53.50% | ||
| Nonpartisan | William F. Bailey | 1,363 | 27.28% | ||
| Nonpartisan | Solon H. Clough | 960 | 19.22% | ||
| Plurality | 1,310 | 26.22% | |||
| Total votes | 4,996 | 100.0% | |||
U.S. House of Representatives (1890)
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Election, November 4, 1890 | |||||
| Republican | Nils P. Haugen (incumbent) | 17,609 | 49.21% | -7.81% | |
| Democratic | William F. Bailey | 15,261 | 42.65% | +7.74% | |
| Prohibition | W. C. Jones | 2,911 | 8.14% | +0.32% | |
| Plurality | 2,348 | 6.56% | -15.55% | ||
| Total votes | 35,781 | 100.0% | -24.18% | ||
| Republican hold | |||||
Wisconsin Circuit Court (1891, 1897)
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Election, April 7, 1891 | |||||
| Nonpartisan | William F. Bailey | 4,687 | 52.94% | ||
| Nonpartisan | James O'Neill | 4,166 | 47.06% | ||
| Plurality | 521 | 5.89% | |||
| Total votes | 8,853 | 100.0% | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Election, April 6, 1897 | |||||
| Nonpartisan | James O'Neill | 7,726 | 67.71% | +20.66% | |
| Nonpartisan | William F. Bailey (incumbent) | 2,314 | 20.28% | -32.66% | |
| Nonpartisan | F. M. Miner | 1,370 | 12.01% | ||
| Plurality | 5,412 | 47.43% | +41.55% | ||
| Total votes | 11,410 | 100.0% | +28.88% | ||