William Barrett was born in
Washington County, Oregon, to Eliza Jane Barrett (
née Purdin) and William R. Barrett on November 24, 1855. There he attended the local public schools before attending
Tualatin Academy in
Forest Grove, Oregon, for his secondary education. Barrett then attended the affiliated
Pacific University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in June 1879. Following college he
read law at the office of attorney and politician
Thomas H. Tongue in
Hillsboro. On November 18, 1882, he married Lucretia H. Parrish. After studying law he passed the
bar in October 1884 and began practicing law. Barrett partnered with
William D. Hare in a Hillsboro firm until 1886 when he opened his own office. In 1892, he created a partnership with Loring K. Adams, lasting until 1897 when he returned to a solo practice. ==Political career==