Today in Wheeling History: September 1--William D. Hare, politician and Oregon pioneer, was born in Wheeling (1834).
William Davenport Hare was born on September 1, 1834, in Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia). He was the eldest of nine children of Reverend Joseph Hare and Frances Ellen Davenport. His paternal grandfather emigrated from England and settled in Ohio, while his maternal grandfather, John Davenport, was a U.S. Congressman. In 1853, at the age of 19, William embarked on a journey to the Oregon Territory via the Oregon Trail. He initially settled in Portland, Oregon, where he worked as a purser on the steamship Fashion. In 1857, he moved to Hillsboro, Oregon, to take a job copying records for the county.
Hare's political career began in 1858 when he was elected county clerk for Washington County. He studied law, passed the bar in 1864, and began practicing law in Hillsboro. He served in the Oregon House of Representatives in 1870 and was a presidential elector in 1872. President Grant appointed him as the customs collector for Astoria, Oregon, a position he held for eight years. In 1884, Hare was elected to the Oregon State Senate, representing Washington County. He also served as the 8th mayor of Hillsboro. William D. Hare passed away on February 6, 1910, in Hillsboro, Oregon.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/ganvy) (https://shorturl.at/JXI7Z)
Photo credits: History of the Bench and Bar of Oregon, Find a Grave
William Davenport Hare was born on September 1, 1834, in Wheeling, Virginia (now West Virginia). He was the eldest of nine children of Reverend Joseph Hare and Frances Ellen Davenport. His paternal grandfather emigrated from England and settled in Ohio, while his maternal grandfather, John Davenport, was a U.S. Congressman. In 1853, at the age of 19, William embarked on a journey to the Oregon Territory via the Oregon Trail. He initially settled in Portland, Oregon, where he worked as a purser on the steamship Fashion. In 1857, he moved to Hillsboro, Oregon, to take a job copying records for the county.
Hare's political career began in 1858 when he was elected county clerk for Washington County. He studied law, passed the bar in 1864, and began practicing law in Hillsboro. He served in the Oregon House of Representatives in 1870 and was a presidential elector in 1872. President Grant appointed him as the customs collector for Astoria, Oregon, a position he held for eight years. In 1884, Hare was elected to the Oregon State Senate, representing Washington County. He also served as the 8th mayor of Hillsboro. William D. Hare passed away on February 6, 1910, in Hillsboro, Oregon.
To learn more: (https://shorturl.at/ganvy) (https://shorturl.at/JXI7Z)
Photo credits: History of the Bench and Bar of Oregon, Find a Grave
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