Bill Hanley (rancher)

William D. Hanley
Bill Hanley circa 1930
Born(1861-02-08)February 8, 1861
DiedSeptember 15, 1935(1935-09-15) (aged 74)
Pendleton, Oregon, USA
OccupationRancher

William D. Hanley (February 8, 1861 – September 15, 1935) was a pioneer rancher in Harney County in southeastern Oregon. He owned several ranches between Burns, Oregon and Harney Lake. Together, his properties comprised one of the largest privately owned cattle operations in the United States. Hanley was also a progressive thinker and well known host. Among his personal friends were leading political figures, fellow cattle barons, industrialist, writers, and artists including Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, William Jennings Bryan, Peter French, James J. Hill, CES Wood, and Will Rogers. Hanley's progressive political views led him to run for Governor of Oregon and the United States Senate. A strong advocate of wildlife conservation, much of his ranch is now part of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.