William Grooms
(1823 - 1900)
Marshal - April 5, 1853 – March 15, 1854
Second term April 11, 1861 – April 6, 1863
(1823 - 1900)
Marshal - April 5, 1853 – March 15, 1854
Second term April 11, 1861 – April 6, 1863
William Grooms, a native of Kingston, Canada, came to Oregon in 1851 after his service in the Mexican-American War. Working as a mechanic and carpenter Grooms quickly integrated into the community of Portland and was elected Town Marshal in 1853; in the first popular election for Marshal. Grooms served under a new city charter that changed the office of Town Marshal, separating the function of tax collector and giving the Marshal authority to appoint deputies as needed. He was still paid at a piece rate and held the separate office of City Collector, so it was business as usual. After serving as Marshal Grooms served as an officer in the Oregon Mounted Volunteers during the Yakima War (1855-1856) and was a founding member of the Jefferson Guards, Portland’s militia in 1857. He was elected City Marshal again in 1861 and served in that office until 1863. He held several other city offices during his life including superintendent of streets and school clerk.
During Grooms second term as marshal Portland saw a great deal of street violence and occasional rioting in connection with the Civil War. It became dangerous for Democrat “Copperheads,” who supported independence for the Confederacy, to speak on the streets of Portland. In response Grooms, a Union Democrat, beefed up his force of deputies and made civil order the main priority of his department. In 1862 Grooms designed the first badges for Portland police officers.
When the police force was founded in 1870 Grooms remained on the force and rose to the rank of Captain in 1877. During the tumultuous term of police chief Lucerne Besser, Grooms was fired from the police force after he was charged with sexual impropriety. The charges Besser brought against him proved to be false, but it took Grooms until 1883 to clear his name. Grooms’ most famous historical act occurred when he was off duty. In 1874 he is credited with throwing the first punch in the riot at the Webfoot Saloon during the Great Temperance Crusade.
During Grooms second term as marshal Portland saw a great deal of street violence and occasional rioting in connection with the Civil War. It became dangerous for Democrat “Copperheads,” who supported independence for the Confederacy, to speak on the streets of Portland. In response Grooms, a Union Democrat, beefed up his force of deputies and made civil order the main priority of his department. In 1862 Grooms designed the first badges for Portland police officers.
When the police force was founded in 1870 Grooms remained on the force and rose to the rank of Captain in 1877. During the tumultuous term of police chief Lucerne Besser, Grooms was fired from the police force after he was charged with sexual impropriety. The charges Besser brought against him proved to be false, but it took Grooms until 1883 to clear his name. Grooms’ most famous historical act occurred when he was off duty. In 1874 he is credited with throwing the first punch in the riot at the Webfoot Saloon during the Great Temperance Crusade.