“Bagg, Dr. Joseph H., late of Detroit, was born in the village of Lanesborough, Massachusetts, December 2, 1797. His grandfather, Joseph Bagg, with four brothers, served in the war of the Revolution from 1777 to 1781. His father, Abner Bagg, married Miss Eunice Hall, of Lanesborough. Soon after their marriage, they removed to Oneida County, New York, where he bought a large farm, and supplied it with fine stock; although not devoting his entire time to the cultivation of the soil, he was a successful and prosperous farmer. Two daughters and eight sons were the fruit of this union; and, with the respect for a professional life felt by the people of those times, Mr. Bagg decided that his son Joseph should be a doctor. Though averse to this profession, preferring to study law, Joseph Bagg yielded to his father’s wishes. When seventeen years of age, he left the homestead, and went to the beautiful little village of Trenton, New York, where he became a student in the office of Dr. Luther B. Guitteau, a physician of considerable note in that vicinity. He remained for two years, and then entered the Medical College at Fairfield, Herkimer County, New York, of which Doctor Willoughby was President at the time. As a student, Mr. Bagg was thorough and practical; a favorite of his class and associates. He graduated in February, 1821, and immediately formed a partnership with Doctor Smith, a celebrated physician of Ogdensburg, New York. He remained there two years, when some capitalists, who were investing funds to a large amount in the village of Oxbow, then being settled, persuaded him to remove to that place. Among these was Hon. Abram Cooper, a gentleman of large wealth, strict integrity, and undoubted ability, to whose sound judgement and excellent counsel Doctor Bagg was indebted for the financial and professional success attained during this period of his life. The first year of his residence in Oxbow, he became the owner of a large tract of valuable land, together with a fine homestead; being then only in the second year of his practice, and but twenty-four years of age. On the 10th of January, 1823, Doctor Bagg married Miss Eliza Sheldon, an estimable, talented, and highly cultured young lady from New Hartford, Oneida County, New York. Mrs. Bagg’s ancestors were English; her father, James Sheldon, was Captain of a company of grenadiers in the Revolutionary army,--the entire number being over six feet in height. He was one of the pioneer settlers of Oneida County, New York, and was formerly from Providence, Rhode Island. Her mother, Mary (Chesebrough) Lord, came from Connecticut. Mrs. Bagg inherited from the Sheldons an unusual amount of energy, sound sense, and perseverance; her ancestors on both sides were remarkable for their longevity, accounted for, in a great measure, by their prudent and Puritanical mode of life. Her grandfather, James Sheldon, of Troy, New York, one of the oldest inhabitants of that city, was a minister of the Gospel, of the Baptist denomination; and lived to be ninety-two, preaching until he was over eighty years old. After their marriage, Doctor and Mrs. Bagg continued to reside at Oxbow three years; where, in connection with the practice of his profession, he carried on an extensive drug store, and, by untiring industry and strict attention to business amassed a large property. Finding the field too small for his ambition, he removed with his family, in 1827, to Watertown, New York, where he continued his practice until 1836. During the last year or two of his residence in Watertown, with many others, he became affected with the Western fever, and took a prospective tour to Cleveland, then comparatively a small village. He went in company with Mr. Goodrich, a capitalist of large means, who induced him to remain several weeks in Cleveland with the view to speculate in property. While there, Mr. Goodrich was taken alarmingly ill with a prevalent disease known as Cuyahoga fever. Fearing that he might die there alone, Mr. Goodrich promised that, if Doctor Bagg would stay and nurse him throught the attack, he would buy some land and deep it to him, on whatever site he should select. Doctor Bagg remained and gave him, not only the service of a skilled physician, but the kind of care of a brother. Upon his recovery, Doctor Bagg was himself attached with the fever, and for many weeks was in an unconscious state. In the absence of such treatment as he had given his friend,--Mr. Goodrich having left the city,--he experienced severe suffering. At different times he was obliged to give one dollar for a glass of water. Upon a partial recovery, he disposed of his land, which was the site of the Weddell House, Cleveland, and returned to Watertown. He removed to Oswego in 1836, and there remained until 1838, when he again decided to go West. He removed this time to Detroit, where he had two brothers living. Michigan was then the “far West,” and emigrants to that Territory were considered as going to the end of the civilized world; and their friends, with tearful eyes, bade them farewell, never expecting to see them again. Upon his arrival in the city of the straits, Doctor Bagg immediately entered upon the duties of his profession, obtaining, in a short time, a fair share of patronage and support. In the year following, a tribe of Chippewa Indians were sent from Michigan to what was then known as the Indian Territory. Doctor Bagg was appointed Surgeon of this expedition, and went with them, being desirous of exploring this unknown region. They were absent several months, and performed the entire journey either on foot or horseback. Doctor Bagg possessed a most earnest and inquiring mind in scientific research; and, among other subjects, he investigated and reduced animal magnetism to a science, far beyond what had hitherto been accomplished. After several years of careful study of the subject, he wrote and published a work called Bagg on Magnetism, which has received high praise for its scientific and original matter. It was not intended for the beginner, or student, but rather for the professional man and ripe scholar. With reference to this work, a writer of considerable renown said: “Its author has lived a century in advance of his age;” and the opposition and limited success with which the book met, was virtually that encountered by every author of new and startling theories. While yet in the practice of medicine, having ever felt a strong inclination toward the legal profession, he devoted his leisure hours to reading law. After an incredibly short time, he was duly admitted to the bar in Detroit, and commenced to practice in the courts. His quick perceptions, extra-ordinary knowledge of human nature, and judicious discrimination, made him an ornament to the profession, and proved, in one more instance, that a youth should be allowed to devote his life to the pursuits he naturally prefers. During this time, Doctor Bagg filled several important offices. He was elected Recorder of the city of Detroit, and served two terms. He was a member of the Common Council several terms; and was, for some time, what was then called Side Judge of the Circuit Court. He was a member of the State Constitutional Commission of 1850, where, among other important measures, he introduced and advocated the anti-license prohibition clause (Section 47 of Article IV.) of the present Constitution of the State of Michigan. He was Deputy County Clerk for two years, and was Judge of Probate for Wayne County from 1853 to 1857. In the Common Council, he was the originator and advocate of having plank walks in the city, and, by persistence, succeeded in carrying the work to completion, although exciting thereby great hostility from property holders. In the cause of public schools, Doctor Bagg did as much for the ultimate success of these institutions as any man in the city. The late Samuel Barstow in conversation with him, once remarked: “Doctor Bagg, you should have had a school-house named after you, instead of myself, commemorative of your efforts in promoting public instruction.” Doctor Bagg was enthusiastic in every undertaking whereby the best interests of the city could be promoted. He visited Lake Superior country, while it was yet considered in its infancy, several successive seasons, accompanied by several gentlemen from Detroit, among whom was Lucius Lyon, Doctor Houghton, Jonas H. Titus, Hon. Omar D. Conger, and Anthony Ten Eyck, all well known in that city. Doctor Bagg has often related his experience, both of pleasure and hardship, while making the tour of Lake Superior in a bark canoe with an Indian guide. He was particularly impressed with the Pictured Rocks; and, in speaking of the sublime grandeur of this scenery, seemed inspired with that reverential awe and admiration due from a creature to his Creator. According to his ideas, it far exceeded anything that he knew in foreign lands. While thus coasting along this great inland sea, they were once overtaken by a severe storm of wind and rain, rendering it impossible to effect a landing; they were carried farther and farther from shore, and were compelled to lie prostrate in the bottom of the boat, and so remain for several hours, until the fury of the tempest had passed. Doctor Bagg procured a fine collection of specimens of copper, silver, agates, and valuable geological formations during these expeditions; and also presented Doctor Caralli—a French gentleman whom old residents of Detroit will remember—many fine additions to his museum. From his extended knowledge of this mineral region, he became so impressed with the value of the land as to invest considerable money there, with the expectation of profit in the future. Among other property, he bought a one-third interest in a harbor above Marquette, near Grand Marias. Doctor Bagg was an old-time Democrat, working for his party with an enthusiasm and zeal not almost unknown to any party; and never deviating, even in the most active and exciting political contests. He became interested in religion in 1857, and united with the First Presbyterian Church of Detroit, of which Doctor Duffield was pastor. Throughout the remainder of his life, he lived an exemplary and consistent member of that church. Benevolent to a fault, he never turned a deaf ear to the calls of suffering humanity; and in him the poor and destitute ever found a firm, generous friend. Though perhaps not as judicious in his charities as many, it may be truly said of him that he never refused to assist those in trouble. Full of generous sentiments, and actuated by noble impulses, with a fund of ready wit, originality of thought and expression, he was an agreeable and entertaining companion, a true friend, and a favorite in society. Doctor and Mrs. Bagg had six children,--Mrs. Charles Goodhue, of Owosso, Michigan; Mrs. Cordial Storrs, of Lowville, Lewis County, New York; B. Rush Bagg, a lawyer, and formerly Police Justice of Detroit; Mrs. Charles J. Halliday, of Syracuse, New York; Mrs. George C. Halliday, also of Syracuse; and Mrs. Doctor William G. Cox, of Detroit, Michigan. Of the character fo their mother, we can give no better synopsis than to quote from her biography, read before the Pioneer Society of Detroit, by Hon. Levi Bishop: “Mrs. Bagg has lived to see many of her grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren, around her. She is now over eighty years of age, yet is in remarkably good health, and, in an extraordinary degree, retains her mental powers. She is a lady of the old school, and is contemplated by us as belonging to a generation gone by. She was born in Washington’s administration, and passed her childhood and girlhood in the latter part of the last century and in the first of the present one. She was a contemporary of the elder and the younger Adams, and of Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe. She possessed many of the higher accomplishments and refinements of her sex. For the last seventy years, she has been an intelligent and deeply interested observer of the vast national panorama that was moving before her eyes. She has live to fill the full measure of life and of womanhood; and we feel assured that those who know her best will be ready to say that she has done it nobly and worthily.”
In 1861 Doctor Bagg removed to Owosso, where he engaged in speculation. His health, however, had gradually failed, and he was obliged to relinquish active pursuits. In the spring of 1862, having become a confirmed invalid, and being under the medical advice of the late Doctor Zina Pitcher and others, he was removed to Ypsilanti to the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Doctor Cox. He never rallied; but, gradually growing weaker, died at the family residence, November 2, 1864, in the hope of a heavenly rest and a glorious immortality.” – Excerpt from “American Biographical History of Eminent and Self-Made Men, Michigan Volume,” published by Western Biographical Publishing Co., Cincinnati, O., 1878. [Note: family petitioned the courts for guardianship/financial control due to his described insanity in 1862-63.]
In 1861 Doctor Bagg removed to Owosso, where he engaged in speculation. His health, however, had gradually failed, and he was obliged to relinquish active pursuits. In the spring of 1862, having become a confirmed invalid, and being under the medical advice of the late Doctor Zina Pitcher and others, he was removed to Ypsilanti to the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Doctor Cox. He never rallied; but, gradually growing weaker, died at the family residence, November 2, 1864, in the hope of a heavenly rest and a glorious immortality.” – Excerpt from “American Biographical History of Eminent and Self-Made Men, Michigan Volume,” published by Western Biographical Publishing Co., Cincinnati, O., 1878. [Note: family petitioned the courts for guardianship/financial control due to his described insanity in 1862-63.]
“Bagg, Dr. Joseph H., late of Detroit, was born in the village of Lanesborough, Massachusetts, December 2, 1797. His grandfather, Joseph Bagg, with four brothers, served in the war of the Revolution from 1777 to 1781. His father, Abner Bagg, married Miss Eunice Hall, of Lanesborough. Soon after their marriage, they removed to Oneida County, New York, where he bought a large farm, and supplied it with fine stock; although not devoting his entire time to the cultivation of the soil, he was a successful and prosperous farmer. Two daughters and eight sons were the fruit of this union; and, with the respect for a professional life felt by the people of those times, Mr. Bagg decided that his son Joseph should be a doctor. Though averse to this profession, preferring to study law, Joseph Bagg yielded to his father’s wishes. When seventeen years of age, he left the homestead, and went to the beautiful little village of Trenton, New York, where he became a student in the office of Dr. Luther B. Guitteau, a physician of considerable note in that vicinity. He remained for two years, and then entered the Medical College at Fairfield, Herkimer County, New York, of which Doctor Willoughby was President at the time. As a student, Mr. Bagg was thorough and practical; a favorite of his class and associates. He graduated in February, 1821, and immediately formed a partnership with Doctor Smith, a celebrated physician of Ogdensburg, New York. He remained there two years, when some capitalists, who were investing funds to a large amount in the village of Oxbow, then being settled, persuaded him to remove to that place. Among these was Hon. Abram Cooper, a gentleman of large wealth, strict integrity, and undoubted ability, to whose sound judgement and excellent counsel Doctor Bagg was indebted for the financial and professional success attained during this period of his life. The first year of his residence in Oxbow, he became the owner of a large tract of valuable land, together with a fine homestead; being then only in the second year of his practice, and but twenty-four years of age. On the 10th of January, 1823, Doctor Bagg married Miss Eliza Sheldon, an estimable, talented, and highly cultured young lady from New Hartford, Oneida County, New York. Mrs. Bagg’s ancestors were English; her father, James Sheldon, was Captain of a company of grenadiers in the Revolutionary army,--the entire number being over six feet in height. He was one of the pioneer settlers of Oneida County, New York, and was formerly from Providence, Rhode Island. Her mother, Mary (Chesebrough) Lord, came from Connecticut. Mrs. Bagg inherited from the Sheldons an unusual amount of energy, sound sense, and perseverance; her ancestors on both sides were remarkable for their longevity, accounted for, in a great measure, by their prudent and Puritanical mode of life. Her grandfather, James Sheldon, of Troy, New York, one of the oldest inhabitants of that city, was a minister of the Gospel, of the Baptist denomination; and lived to be ninety-two, preaching until he was over eighty years old. After their marriage, Doctor and Mrs. Bagg continued to reside at Oxbow three years; where, in connection with the practice of his profession, he carried on an extensive drug store, and, by untiring industry and strict attention to business amassed a large property. Finding the field too small for his ambition, he removed with his family, in 1827, to Watertown, New York, where he continued his practice until 1836. During the last year or two of his residence in Watertown, with many others, he became affected with the Western fever, and took a prospective tour to Cleveland, then comparatively a small village. He went in company with Mr. Goodrich, a capitalist of large means, who induced him to remain several weeks in Cleveland with the view to speculate in property. While there, Mr. Goodrich was taken alarmingly ill with a prevalent disease known as Cuyahoga fever. Fearing that he might die there alone, Mr. Goodrich promised that, if Doctor Bagg would stay and nurse him throught the attack, he would buy some land and deep it to him, on whatever site he should select. Doctor Bagg remained and gave him, not only the service of a skilled physician, but the kind of care of a brother. Upon his recovery, Doctor Bagg was himself attached with the fever, and for many weeks was in an unconscious state. In the absence of such treatment as he had given his friend,--Mr. Goodrich having left the city,--he experienced severe suffering. At different times he was obliged to give one dollar for a glass of water. Upon a partial recovery, he disposed of his land, which was the site of the Weddell House, Cleveland, and returned to Watertown. He removed to Oswego in 1836, and there remained until 1838, when he again decided to go West. He removed this time to Detroit, where he had two brothers living. Michigan was then the “far West,” and emigrants to that Territory were considered as going to the end of the civilized world; and their friends, with tearful eyes, bade them farewell, never expecting to see them again. Upon his arrival in the city of the straits, Doctor Bagg immediately entered upon the duties of his profession, obtaining, in a short time, a fair share of patronage and support. In the year following, a tribe of Chippewa Indians were sent from Michigan to what was then known as the Indian Territory. Doctor Bagg was appointed Surgeon of this expedition, and went with them, being desirous of exploring this unknown region. They were absent several months, and performed the entire journey either on foot or horseback. Doctor Bagg possessed a most earnest and inquiring mind in scientific research; and, among other subjects, he investigated and reduced animal magnetism to a science, far beyond what had hitherto been accomplished. After several years of careful study of the subject, he wrote and published a work called Bagg on Magnetism, which has received high praise for its scientific and original matter. It was not intended for the beginner, or student, but rather for the professional man and ripe scholar. With reference to this work, a writer of considerable renown said: “Its author has lived a century in advance of his age;” and the opposition and limited success with which the book met, was virtually that encountered by every author of new and startling theories. While yet in the practice of medicine, having ever felt a strong inclination toward the legal profession, he devoted his leisure hours to reading law. After an incredibly short time, he was duly admitted to the bar in Detroit, and commenced to practice in the courts. His quick perceptions, extra-ordinary knowledge of human nature, and judicious discrimination, made him an ornament to the profession, and proved, in one more instance, that a youth should be allowed to devote his life to the pursuits he naturally prefers. During this time, Doctor Bagg filled several important offices. He was elected Recorder of the city of Detroit, and served two terms. He was a member of the Common Council several terms; and was, for some time, what was then called Side Judge of the Circuit Court. He was a member of the State Constitutional Commission of 1850, where, among other important measures, he introduced and advocated the anti-license prohibition clause (Section 47 of Article IV.) of the present Constitution of the State of Michigan. He was Deputy County Clerk for two years, and was Judge of Probate for Wayne County from 1853 to 1857. In the Common Council, he was the originator and advocate of having plank walks in the city, and, by persistence, succeeded in carrying the work to completion, although exciting thereby great hostility from property holders. In the cause of public schools, Doctor Bagg did as much for the ultimate success of these institutions as any man in the city. The late Samuel Barstow in conversation with him, once remarked: “Doctor Bagg, you should have had a school-house named after you, instead of myself, commemorative of your efforts in promoting public instruction.” Doctor Bagg was enthusiastic in every undertaking whereby the best interests of the city could be promoted. He visited Lake Superior country, while it was yet considered in its infancy, several successive seasons, accompanied by several gentlemen from Detroit, among whom was Lucius Lyon, Doctor Houghton, Jonas H. Titus, Hon. Omar D. Conger, and Anthony Ten Eyck, all well known in that city. Doctor Bagg has often related his experience, both of pleasure and hardship, while making the tour of Lake Superior in a bark canoe with an Indian guide. He was particularly impressed with the Pictured Rocks; and, in speaking of the sublime grandeur of this scenery, seemed inspired with that reverential awe and admiration due from a creature to his Creator. According to his ideas, it far exceeded anything that he knew in foreign lands. While thus coasting along this great inland sea, they were once overtaken by a severe storm of wind and rain, rendering it impossible to effect a landing; they were carried farther and farther from shore, and were compelled to lie prostrate in the bottom of the boat, and so remain for several hours, until the fury of the tempest had passed. Doctor Bagg procured a fine collection of specimens of copper, silver, agates, and valuable geological formations during these expeditions; and also presented Doctor Caralli—a French gentleman whom old residents of Detroit will remember—many fine additions to his museum. From his extended knowledge of this mineral region, he became so impressed with the value of the land as to invest considerable money there, with the expectation of profit in the future. Among other property, he bought a one-third interest in a harbor above Marquette, near Grand Marias. Doctor Bagg was an old-time Democrat, working for his party with an enthusiasm and zeal not almost unknown to any party; and never deviating, even in the most active and exciting political contests. He became interested in religion in 1857, and united with the First Presbyterian Church of Detroit, of which Doctor Duffield was pastor. Throughout the remainder of his life, he lived an exemplary and consistent member of that church. Benevolent to a fault, he never turned a deaf ear to the calls of suffering humanity; and in him the poor and destitute ever found a firm, generous friend. Though perhaps not as judicious in his charities as many, it may be truly said of him that he never refused to assist those in trouble. Full of generous sentiments, and actuated by noble impulses, with a fund of ready wit, originality of thought and expression, he was an agreeable and entertaining companion, a true friend, and a favorite in society. Doctor and Mrs. Bagg had six children,--Mrs. Charles Goodhue, of Owosso, Michigan; Mrs. Cordial Storrs, of Lowville, Lewis County, New York; B. Rush Bagg, a lawyer, and formerly Police Justice of Detroit; Mrs. Charles J. Halliday, of Syracuse, New York; Mrs. George C. Halliday, also of Syracuse; and Mrs. Doctor William G. Cox, of Detroit, Michigan. Of the character fo their mother, we can give no better synopsis than to quote from her biography, read before the Pioneer Society of Detroit, by Hon. Levi Bishop: “Mrs. Bagg has lived to see many of her grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren, around her. She is now over eighty years of age, yet is in remarkably good health, and, in an extraordinary degree, retains her mental powers. She is a lady of the old school, and is contemplated by us as belonging to a generation gone by. She was born in Washington’s administration, and passed her childhood and girlhood in the latter part of the last century and in the first of the present one. She was a contemporary of the elder and the younger Adams, and of Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe. She possessed many of the higher accomplishments and refinements of her sex. For the last seventy years, she has been an intelligent and deeply interested observer of the vast national panorama that was moving before her eyes. She has live to fill the full measure of life and of womanhood; and we feel assured that those who know her best will be ready to say that she has done it nobly and worthily.”
In 1861 Doctor Bagg removed to Owosso, where he engaged in speculation. His health, however, had gradually failed, and he was obliged to relinquish active pursuits. In the spring of 1862, having become a confirmed invalid, and being under the medical advice of the late Doctor Zina Pitcher and others, he was removed to Ypsilanti to the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Doctor Cox. He never rallied; but, gradually growing weaker, died at the family residence, November 2, 1864, in the hope of a heavenly rest and a glorious immortality.” – Excerpt from “American Biographical History of Eminent and Self-Made Men, Michigan Volume,” published by Western Biographical Publishing Co., Cincinnati, O., 1878. [Note: family petitioned the courts for guardianship/financial control due to his described insanity in 1862-63.]
In 1861 Doctor Bagg removed to Owosso, where he engaged in speculation. His health, however, had gradually failed, and he was obliged to relinquish active pursuits. In the spring of 1862, having become a confirmed invalid, and being under the medical advice of the late Doctor Zina Pitcher and others, he was removed to Ypsilanti to the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Doctor Cox. He never rallied; but, gradually growing weaker, died at the family residence, November 2, 1864, in the hope of a heavenly rest and a glorious immortality.” – Excerpt from “American Biographical History of Eminent and Self-Made Men, Michigan Volume,” published by Western Biographical Publishing Co., Cincinnati, O., 1878. [Note: family petitioned the courts for guardianship/financial control due to his described insanity in 1862-63.]
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