| William Nathan Barrett | |
| Office: | Oregon State Senator |
| Term: | 1909-1913 |
| Preceded: | E. W. Haines |
| Succeeded: | W. D. Wood |
| Constituency: | Washington County |
| Office2: | Member of the Oregon House of Representatives |
| Term2: | 1880-1881 1891-1892 1907-1908 |
| Constituency2: | Washington County |
| Office3: | 8th Mayor of Hillsboro, Oregon |
| Term3: | 1896-1899 1902-1903 1915-1916 |
| Birth Date: | November 24, 1855 |
| Birth Place: | Washington County, Oregon |
| Death Place: | Hillsboro, Oregon |
| Resting Place: | Hillsboro Pioneer Cemetery |
| Nationality: | American |
| Spouse: | Lucretia H. Parrish |
| Alma Mater: | Pacific University |
| Occupation: | Attorney |
William Nathan Barrett (November 24, 1855 - December 16, 1916) was an American politician and lawyer in Oregon. A native of Washington County, he served in both chambers of the Oregon Legislative Assembly, including three different times in the Oregon House. A Republican, he was also a three time mayor of Hillsboro, Oregon.
William Barrett was born in Washington County, Oregon, to Eliza Jane Barrett (née Purdin) and William R. Barrett on November 24, 1855.[1] There he attended the local public schools before attending Tualatin Academy in Forest Grove, Oregon, for his secondary education.[1] Barrett then attended the affiliated Pacific University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in June 1879.[1]
Following college he read law at the office of attorney and politician Thomas H. Tongue in Hillsboro.[1] On November 18, 1882, he married Lucretia H. Parrish.[1] After studying law he passed the bar in October 1884 and began practicing law.[1] Barrett partnered with William D. Hare in a Hillsboro firm until 1886 when he opened his own office.[1] In 1892, he created a partnership with Loring K. Adams, lasting until 1897 when he returned to a solo practice.[1]
Barrett would serve as a deputy district attorney for Washington County and later as district attorney for Oregon's fifth judicial district.[1] In 1880, he served as a Republican in the Oregon House of Representatives serving Washington County.[2] He returned to the House in 1891.[3]
In 1896, he was elected as the 15th different person to be mayor of Hillsboro.[4] Barrett was also the first to serve consecutive terms, holding office from December 8, 1896, until December 5, 1899.[4] He then served on the city council from 1901 to 1902.[5] After a few years away from the mayor's office, he returned as mayor and served from December 2, 1902, to December 15, 1903, when he was succeeded by Benjamin P. Cornelius.[4]
Barrett returned to state politics in 1906 and was elected to the Oregon House to represent Washington County.[6] The Republican was then elected to the Oregon State Senate in 1908 and served in the regular and special sessions of 1909.[7] [8] He continued his four-year term at the 1911 secession when his district included Washington, Yamhill, Lincoln, and Tillamook counties.[9]
In 1915, he returned to the office of mayor for Hillsboro, assuming the position on January 5 and serving until his death.[4] He was a member of the Masonic Order and of the Knights of Pythias.[1] William Nathan Barrett died on December 16, 1916, while in office, and was buried at the family's plot in the Hillsboro Pioneer Cemetery.[10]