William Francis Bailey

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 byPosition established
Succeeded byJames O'Neill
6th & 10th Mayor of Eau Claire, Wisconsin
In office
April 1882 – April 1884
Preceded byE. T. Farr
Succeeded byHenry D. Davis
In office
April 1877 – April 1878
Preceded byLevi M. Vilas
Succeeded byGeorge W. Chapman
District Attorney of Eau Claire County, Wisconsin
In office
January 5, 1874 – January 4, 1876
Preceded byTexas Angel
Succeeded byLoren Edwards
Personal details
Born(1842-06-20)June 20, 1842
Carmel, New York, U.S.
DiedApril 5, 1915(1915-04-05) (aged 72)
Eau Claire, Wisconsin, U.S.
Resting placeOakwood Cemetery, Fremont, Ohio
Political partyDemocratic
Spouses
  • Mercy S. Cole
    (m. 1864; died 1882)
  • Frances J. Gillett
    (m. 1883⁠–⁠1915)
Children
  • William Francis Bailey Jr.
  • (b. 1884; died 1938)
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceUnited States Volunteers
Union Army
RankCaptain, USV
Unit
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

Early life

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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

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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

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He married twice. His first wife, Mercy, died in 1882.[citation needed] Bailey's second wife, Frances, died in 1943.[citation needed]

Electoral history

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Wisconsin Circuit Court (1876)

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Wisconsin Circuit Court, 11th Circuit Election, 1876[3]
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)

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Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District Election, 1890[4]
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)

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Wisconsin Circuit Court, 17th Circuit Election, 1891[5]
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%
Wisconsin Circuit Court, 17th Circuit Election, 1897[6]
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%

References

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  1. ^ "Bailey, William Francis 1842 - 1915". Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
  2. ^ "Wisconsin U.S. House Elections 1848-2008" (PDF). University of Minnesota. Retrieved 2012-01-12.
  3. ^ "Official Canvass". Wisconsin State Journal. May 2, 1876. p. 4. Retrieved November 24, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ Cunningham, Thomas J., ed. (1891). "Election Statistics" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. pp. 289–295. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  5. ^ Cunningham, Thomas J., ed. (1893). "Election Statistics" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 313. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  6. ^ Froehlich, William H., ed. (1899). "Election Statistics" (PDF). The Blue Book of the State of Wisconsin (Report). State of Wisconsin. p. 380. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
Political offices
Preceded by
Levi M. Vilas
Mayor of Eau Claire, Wisconsin
April 1877 – April 1878
Succeeded by
George W. Chapman
Preceded by
E. T. Farr
Mayor of Eau Claire, Wisconsin
April 1882 – April 1884
Succeeded by
Henry D. Davis
Legal offices
Preceded by
Texas Angel
District Attorney of Eau Claire County, Wisconsin
January 5, 1874 – January 4, 1876
Succeeded by
Loren Edwards
New circuit established Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge for the 17th circuit
January 4, 1892 – January 3, 1898
Succeeded by