James O'Neill

James O'Neill (February 9, 1826 – July 21, 1901) was an American businessman and politician in the Oregon Territory and the territory and state of Washington. A New York native, he was mayor of Portland, Oregon, and an Indian Agent in Idaho and Washington territories. He later served in the legislatures of the Washington Territory and the State of Washington.

Early life O'Neill was born in Duanesburg, New York, in 1824 or 1826. He was the oldest of five children born to James E. O'Neill and the former Elizabeth Marsh. Of Irish descent, his father was a shopkeeper in Schenectady County, New York, where the younger James was born. He was re-elected the next year, becoming the city's first two-term mayor, but was replaced on November 4, 1857, by William S. Ladd before the end of his second term.

Idaho and Washington In 1863, he was working as an interpreter for the Office of Indian Affairs in the Idaho Territory. O'Neill worked out of Lapwai and in 1865 was working as an Indian agent for the Nez Perce Agency in Idaho. He continued in that position through 1867. He then moved to Cheweela on the Colville Indian Reservation and continued working for the Office of Indian Affairs. From 1868 until 1878 he was back in New York.

O'Neill returned to Washington in 1878 and worked as a farmer for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe. He kept that position until resigning in 1887. During this time he also served as postmaster for Chewelah, while in 1881 he served in the Washington Territorial House of Representatives of the Washington Territory representing Spokane and Stevens counties. While in the House he worked to pass the bill incorporating the city of Spokane Falls (now Spokane) in 1881.

In 1888, O'Neill was elected as auditor for Stevens County, serving for two years. James O'Neill was elected to the Washington State Senate in 1889 when Washington became a state. He represented the Second District, made up of Spokane and Stevens counties and served as chairman of the mines committee and of the Indian Affairs committee. In 1892, he served as a delegate to the Seattle Convention.

He died on July 21, 1901, in Spokane, Washington, and was buried in Fairmount Cemetery.