N. B. Willey

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2^nd Governor of Idaho
N. B. Willey
In office December 18, 1890 – January 1, 1893
Lieutenant	John S. Gray
Preceded by	George L. Shoup
Succeeded by	William J. McConnell

Born	March 25, 1838(1838-03-25) Guilford, New York
Died	October 20, 1921 (aged 83) Topeka, Kansas
Political party	Republican
Residence	Warren
Profession	Mining
Religion	Protestant

Norman Bushnell Willey (born March 25, 1838 in Guilford, New York – died October 20, 1921 in Topeka, Kansas) was 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, DC. 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.

Preceded by (none)	Lieutenant Governor of Idaho October 1890–December 1890	Succeeded by John S. Gray
Preceded by George L. Shoup	Governor of Idaho December 1890–January 1893	Succeeded by William J. McConnell

v • d • e Governors of Idaho

Shoup • Willey • McConnell • Steunenberg • Hunt • Morrison • Gooding • Brady • Hawley • Haines • Alexander • Davis • Moore • Baldridge • Ross • B. Clark • Bottolfsen • C. Clark • Bottolfsen • Gossett • Williams • Robins • Jordan • Smylie • Samuelson • Andrus • Evans • Andrus • Batt • Kempthorne • Risch • Otter