Governor of Idaho. He moved to California at age 20 and began a career in mining. In 1864 he moved to Warrens, Idaho, where he continued to work in the mining industry. He also became active in politics, winning election to a two year term as School Superintendent in 1866. He served in Idaho's Territorial Legislature from 1872 to 1873 and returned for another term from 1878 to 1879, also serving as the Legislature's President. He lost several races for office in the 1880s, largely because he was one of the few citizens of northern Idaho who opposed joining the area to the state of Washington. In the late 1880s Willey began a career in journalism with the Idaho Statesman. In 1890 Idaho became a state and he was elected its first Lieutenant Governor. Territorial Governor George Shoup had been elected the new state's first Governor, but planned to run for election as one of its first US Senators. When Shoup won a Senate seat, he resigned the governorship and was succeeded by Willey, who served from December, 1890 until the completion of his term in 1893. During his time in office, the Great Northern Railroad completed its line through the Bonner Pass, the third transcontinental railroad line, which ran through Idaho, was completed, and Willey established a precedent by intervening in a miners' strike in Coeur d'Alene. Willey left Idaho after his term, becoming Superintendent of a mine in California. In his later years he moved to Kansas, where he struggled with failing health and financial setbacks, and the Idaho Legislature granted him an unofficial pension.
Governor of Idaho. He moved to California at age 20 and began a career in mining. In 1864 he moved to Warrens, Idaho, where he continued to work in the mining industry. He also became active in politics, winning election to a two year term as School Superintendent in 1866. He served in Idaho's Territorial Legislature from 1872 to 1873 and returned for another term from 1878 to 1879, also serving as the Legislature's President. He lost several races for office in the 1880s, largely because he was one of the few citizens of northern Idaho who opposed joining the area to the state of Washington. In the late 1880s Willey began a career in journalism with the Idaho Statesman. In 1890 Idaho became a state and he was elected its first Lieutenant Governor. Territorial Governor George Shoup had been elected the new state's first Governor, but planned to run for election as one of its first US Senators. When Shoup won a Senate seat, he resigned the governorship and was succeeded by Willey, who served from December, 1890 until the completion of his term in 1893. During his time in office, the Great Northern Railroad completed its line through the Bonner Pass, the third transcontinental railroad line, which ran through Idaho, was completed, and Willey established a precedent by intervening in a miners' strike in Coeur d'Alene. Willey left Idaho after his term, becoming Superintendent of a mine in California. In his later years he moved to Kansas, where he struggled with failing health and financial setbacks, and the Idaho Legislature granted him an unofficial pension.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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