William Poole was born in 1821 in New Jersey to parents of English descent. The family moved to New York City in 1832 and his father, a butcher by trade, opened a shop in Washington market. The family became established in the community and were well thought of by their neighbors. William followed in his father's footsteps, served an apprenticeship, and ultimately opened a butcher shop in the same market. Bill took pride in his skills as a butcher and his shop soon developed a loyal following.

Bill was described by his peers as being tall and handsome with dark hair and a large mustache. He was broad shouldered with a muscular physique and was especially agile in the art of "handling" knives. Bill was generally well mannered until he was insulted or perceived an insult. He developed a reputation as a rough and tumble fighter and sometimes inflicted horrendous wounds upon his adversaries. I have not found any newspaper or crime report that indicates he murdered anyone although he may have maimed several men. When Bill was not engaged at his butcher shop, he was involved in his Washington Street gang activities or the Red Rover volunteer fire department.

Bill was a member of the Red Rover Fire Engine Company No. 34, at Hudson and Christopher Streets. The Red Rover's frequently engaged in battles with the North River Engine Company No. 27. The ongoing battle began when the Red Rovers, attending to a fire, pumped so much water into a North River fire engine that the engine was badly damaged. "Washing" another fire company's engine was considered the ultimate insult that a fireman could inflict.

Poole's family were members of the Whig political party. The Whig party began to decline with the growing anti-immigrant movement called the Know-Nothing party or the Native Americans (also known as the American party) and the rise of the Republican party. The Know-Nothing or Native American party became popular in New York City due to the huge number of immigrants. Bill switched to the Native Americans by around 1851 and his Washington Street gang served as "shoulder-hitters" for the Native American party. A shoulder-hitter enforced the will of a political boss by using threats or violence and played an important role in "persuading" voters to vote for their candidate at the polls. Poole's clashes with Morrissey, an Irishman working for Tammany Hall, led to his death in 1855.

Bill humiliated John Morrissey, a noted prizefighter, by beating him in a fight in July of 1854. Both men agreed to the terms of the fight and met at Amos Dock, New York. According to newspaper reports, Morrissey struck the first blow, and the very agile Poole ducked and managed to grab Morrissey and throw him to the ground. Poole was on top and mercilessly beat Morrissey for about five minutes until Morrissey said enough. After the fight, Morrissey and his friends set out to murder Bill and on February 25, 1855, at Stanwix Hall, they accomplished their goal. Bill was shot by Lew Baker, Morrissey's friend, and died in his home on Christopher Street on March 8, 1855. William Poole left behind a wife and his son, Charles and their pleasant brick home on Christopher Street.

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