N. B. Willey
Encyclopedia
Norman Bushnell Willey (born March 25, 1838 in Guilford, New York
died October 20, 1921 in Topeka, Kansas
) was the second Governor of Idaho
from 1890 until 1893.
Willey moved to California at the age of 20 where he began his career in the mining industry. He followed the Gold rush
to Idaho in 1864; after working some time there, he was promoted to the position of superintendent of a lode mine. During his lengthy tenure in that position, he began a political career. Advancing to the position of Superintendent of Schools, he was not reelected in 1868. He was elected to Idaho's legislative assembly in 1872, which was followed by his serving as Council President in 1879.
In 1888, he was not reelected for a third term. This was a remarkable achievement, as he was one of the few on the council who opposed the effort to reunite North Idaho with Washington State. During these two terms, he became friends with Milton Kelly – a former supreme court justice who had become a prominent newspaper editor. This led to a career in the field of journalism, where his reports as mine superintendent and state correspondent found wide audience.
In 1890, another opportunity arose for Willey in politics when Idaho gained admission as a state. Although Idaho at the time preferred to have a senator, they were granted a governor. George Shoup was chosen to serve as governor; however, he only agreed to do so once he was assured that his service would end as governor in late 1890, and that he would then become a senator. Shoup arranged Willey's election as Lieutenant Governor, which assured him the position of Governor for the state after Shoup had vacated the position. He continued to serve as governor until 1892, where he was ousted by other political factions.
Guilford, New York
Guilford is a town in Chenango County, New York, United States. The town is on the east border of the county. The population was 3,046 at the 2000 census.- History :The land was purchased from the Oneida tribe in 1785.The town was first settled around 1787...
died October 20, 1921 in Topeka, Kansas
Topeka, Kansas
Topeka |Kansa]]: Tó Pee Kuh) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Shawnee County. It is situated along the Kansas River in the central part of Shawnee County, located in northeast Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was...
) was the second Governor of Idaho
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
from 1890 until 1893.
Willey moved to California at the age of 20 where he began his career in the mining industry. He followed the Gold rush
Gold rush
A gold rush is a period of feverish migration of workers to an area that has had a dramatic discovery of gold. Major gold rushes took place in the 19th century in Australia, Brazil, Canada, South Africa, and the United States, while smaller gold rushes took place elsewhere.In the 19th and early...
to Idaho in 1864; after working some time there, he was promoted to the position of superintendent of a lode mine. During his lengthy tenure in that position, he began a political career. Advancing to the position of Superintendent of Schools, he was not reelected in 1868. He was elected to Idaho's legislative assembly in 1872, which was followed by his serving as Council President in 1879.
In 1888, he was not reelected for a third term. This was a remarkable achievement, as he was one of the few on the council who opposed the effort to reunite North Idaho with Washington State. During these two terms, he became friends with Milton Kelly – a former supreme court justice who had become a prominent newspaper editor. This led to a career in the field of journalism, where his reports as mine superintendent and state correspondent found wide audience.
In 1890, another opportunity arose for Willey in politics when Idaho gained admission as a state. Although Idaho at the time preferred to have a senator, they were granted a governor. George Shoup was chosen to serve as governor; however, he only agreed to do so once he was assured that his service would end as governor in late 1890, and that he would then become a senator. Shoup arranged Willey's election as Lieutenant Governor, which assured him the position of Governor for the state after Shoup had vacated the position. He continued to serve as governor until 1892, where he was ousted by other political factions.