W.J. Gault

Dates in office: August 12, 1890 - April 12, 1892
Born: January 1830
Died: April 15, 1899

On July 15, 1890 commissioners of County 2 incorporated The Village of Oklahoma City as a tract of 400 acres and appointed a board of trustees: David W. Gibbs, T.J. Watson, Nelson Button, Sam Frist, and Henry Overholser.  At the first meeting the City was divided into four wards and an election was called for August 9, 1890.

William James Gault was born in Washington County, NY, raised in Illinois, and traveled to Missouri, California, and Kansas before participating in the Land Run that settled Oklahoma City in 1889. Gault’s term as Mayor established the official boundaries of Oklahoma City, City Council began working on contracts with utilities and railroads, laying a foundation for growth and the well being of residents.

Gault operated a lumberyard in the new city, and the lumber he sold was in great demand as the city transitioned from tents to permanent buildings. In 1896, he was elected to the Fourth Oklahoma Territorial Legislature as a member of the House of Representatives.