William J. Bailey facts for kids

William J. Bailey (born January 13, 1807 – died February 5, 1876) was a doctor born in England. He moved to the United States and became an important pioneer and politician in the Oregon Country. This area is now the state of Oregon.

Bailey was especially active in the Willamette Valley. He helped create a temporary government in Oregon by joining the Champoeg Meetings. He served in this government, first on an executive committee and later in the Provisional Legislature of Oregon.

Early Life and Travels

William Bailey was born in Great Britain on January 13, 1807. He is believed to have studied medicine in England. Later, he moved to the United States with his mother before 1834.

In the U.S., he joined the Navy as a sailor. He traveled to the West Coast. He later left his naval service in San Francisco. There is no clear record that he practiced medicine in the United States.

Moving to Oregon

William Bailey moved to Oregon from California in 1835. He settled in the fertile Willamette Valley. He traveled with a group that included John Woodward, George K. Gay, and John Turner.

During this journey north, the group faced challenges. Bailey also worked with the Willamette Cattle Company. This company drove cattle from Mexican-owned California to Oregon. Ewing Young led this cattle drive.

Political Involvement

When a wealthy settler named Ewing Young passed away in 1841 without a will, people in the Willamette Valley started talking about forming a government. William Bailey was chosen to lead a committee. This committee's job was to write a constitution and laws for the area.

However, these plans did not fully happen at first. Only a probate court, which handles wills and estates, was set up. Many people involved in these early talks later joined the Champoeg Meetings. These meetings eventually led to the creation of the Provisional Government of Oregon.

During the time of the provisional government, William Bailey was a member of the Second Executive Committee. He served alongside Peter G. Stewart and Osborne Russell. This committee acted like a leader for the government. In 1845, a single governor, George Abernethy, took over this role to make the government run more smoothly.

In 1848, Bailey was elected to the provisional legislature. He represented the Champoeg district.

Family and Later Years

In Oregon, William Bailey married Margaret Jewett Smith on March 4, 1839. She was from the Methodist Mission. In 1842, he sold his farm and left the Oregon Country for a short time.

The couple returned in May 1844 and bought back his old farm. By September 1853, the Baileys had set up a homestead in Champoeg. William and Margaret did not have any children. They divorced in 1854.

On November 2, 1855, Bailey married Julia M. Sheil. He continued to develop his property in Champoeg. William J. Bailey passed away there on February 5, 1876. He was buried at St. Paul Cemetery in St. Paul, Oregon.