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JOHN JUDSON BAGLEY
BY GEORGE H. HOPKINS
June 7, 1882
During his leisure hours from early life, and especially during the last few years, he devoted much time to becoming acquainted with the best authors. Biography was his delight; the last he read was the "Life and Work of John Adams, " in ten volumes.
In all questions of business or public affairs he seemed to have the power of getting at the kernel of the nut in the least possible time. In reading he would spend scarcely more time with a volume than most persons would devote to a chapter. After what seemed a cursory glance, he would have all of value the book contained. Rarely do we see a business man so familiar with the best English authors. He was a generous and intelligent patron of the arts, and his elegant home was a study and a pleasure to his many friends, who always found there a hearty welcome. At Christmas time he would spend days doing the work of Santa Claus. Every Christmas eve he gathered his children about him, and taking the youngest on his lap, told some Christmas story, closing the entertainment with "The night before Christmas, " or Dickens' "Christmas Carol. "
His health had always been of the robust, vigorous, kind, and ten years ago he seemed to have force and energy enough to last a century. But ceaseless labor and toil will surely tell on the strongest constitution, and the man who bad not known a sick day found that he was no exception.
In the winter of 1876-77 he felt the first indications that his strength was giving away, and at no time afterwards was he a well man. His strong constitution and vigorous will made a gallant fight, but each year saw his health gradually failing.
Michigan
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