William Francis Bailey

William Francis Bailey (June 20, 1842 – April 5, 1915) was a politician and jurist in Wisconsin.

Early life
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.

Career
During the American Civil War, he served with the Union Army, enlisting as a corporal and achieving the rank of captain.

After serving as district attorney of Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, Bailey served as the tenth mayor of Eau Claire from 1878 to 1879 and in 1884. 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. Bailey later served as a state district court judge from the 17th circuit from 1892 to 1898. He was a Democrat.

Personal life
He married twice. His first wife, Mercy, died in 1882. Bailey's second wife, Frances, died in 1943.