California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


FRANK S. BAGLEY. A thoroughly successful man and one who occupies a prominent 
place in his community is Frank S. Bagley, for many years a merchant in Malaga, where he 
opened the first store, and where he served as postmaster for fourteen years. In the neighbor- 
hood of Malaga he is located upon a ranch of eighty acres devoted entirely to the cultivation 
of grapes, the average annual yield being about sixty tons. He also owns property in Los An- 
geles. Born in New York City, November 18, 1855, he is the son of James Bagley, also a na- 
tive of that state. The family is of Irish extraction, the grandfather having come to the United 
States when a young man. He engaged in the prosecution of his trade of stone mason, and 
among other well-known buildings upon which he worked was that of the old city hall of New 
York City. James Bagley rose to prominence in a comparatively brief life of forty-five years, as 
a Republican of considerable influence receiving appointment to the position of deputy United 
States marshal of Eastern District of the state of New York. He was also identified with im- 
portant movements in Williamsburg, conducting the first street car in that city. He married Sarah 
A. Silkwith, a native of England. 

But two years old when his mother died, and eleven at the time of his father's death, Frank S. 
Bagley has been more or less thrown upon his own resources from his earliest remembrance. 
When only a lad in years he went to Illinois, where he engaged in farm work, remaining in 
that state for seventeen years, and through the exercise of his native qualities � industry, energy, 
and perseverance � acquired thirty acres of land which he farmed until 1888. Coming to Cali- 
fornia that year he established the first store in the town of Malaga, Fresno county, and con- 
ducted a successful business for fourteen years, while, as previously mentioned, he also acted as 
postmaster. Disposing of his mercantile interests in 1902 to R. R. Porter, he purchased his 
present valuable property, upon which he has since made his home. 

In Illinois Mr. Bagley was united in marriage with Jennie S. Witt, who is now deceased. They 
became the parents of three children: Anna, Clifford and John. Following the early precepts 
of his father, Mr. Bagley adheres to the principles of the Republican party. Fraternally he is 
identified with the Woodmen of the World and the Masonic order.