John J. Bagley

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John Judson Bagley (July 24, 1832–December 27, 1881) was born in Medina, New York to John and Mary M. (Smith) Bagley. He was married to Frances E. Newbury. Bagley was initially raised in Lockport, New York. However, at the age of eight, he moved with his family to Constantine, Michigan. At age thirteen, he moved again, this time to the opposite side of the state - to Owosso, Michigan.[1]

Bagley moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1847 as an apprentice. Starting his working career in a small chewing tobacco shop of Isaac Miller. Bagley bought out Miller after seven years and renamed his store the Mayflower Tobacco Company, turning it into an industry leader that competed against other Detroit tobacco brands–at the time, tobacco was a major industry in Detroit. His fortune and status especially grew during the American Civil War, by which time he had helped found the Republican Party. He also served as an alderman in Detroit. In the 1860s, Bagley helped to organize the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Company and served as its president for five years. He also became Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party from 1868-1870.

Bagley served as Governor of Michigan between 1873 and 1877. He encouraged the establishment of a state commission to regulate railroads, dealt with the matter of juvenile delinquincy, and led the effort to establish the state Board of Health and the state Fish Commission. Bagley, a Unitarian, was an enthusiastic supporter of prohibition. He died in San Francisco on December 27, 1881.

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Preceded by William Alanson Howard	Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party 1868– 1870	Succeeded by Stephen D. Bingham
Preceded by Henry P. Baldwin	Governor of Michigan 1873–1877	Succeeded by Charles Croswell