My Genealogy Hound

Joseph Bagley (deceased) was born in Bedford, Penn., February 23, 1802, and is the son of Samuel Bagley, a native of Scotland (who came to the State of Pennsylvania at a very early day), and Martha (Bentle) Bagley. He was reared in the neighborhood of Bedford, or Bedford Springs, Penn., and in his younger days drove a hack, and did considerable freighting between Philadelphia and the above-named places. When between the age of twenty-one and twenty-two he enlisted in the United States regular army for five years, and, on one occasion, was sent with his company up the Missouri River, as far as the mouth of the Yellowstone. After his five years’ service was up he was discharged from the army, at Jefferson Barracks, and came to Illinois, where he resided one year. From there he traveled down the Mississippi to Jacksonport, Ark., about the year 1829 or 1830, and was there married to Miss Annie Gibson, of Lawrence County, daughter of Jacob Gibson. Within a short time after his marriage he moved to this section, and commenced farming, until his death, April 6, 1872, at the age of seventy years. His grave is on Col. Ponder’s farm, at Old Walnut Ridge. He was among the early settlers of this section, and lived, until his death, about five miles northwest of Walnut Ridge. He and wife were the parents of nine children, only two of whom are yet living, Lavira, the wife of Thomas C. Hennessee, and Isam J., both residents of Campbell Township. Isam J. was reared on the homestead farm, and was born December 18, 1847. He led a placid life on the farm, with nothing eventful occurring to disturb the serenity of his existence until March, 1864, when he enlisted in Company F, Thirteenth Missouri Cavalry, and was a gallant soldier through the remainder of the war. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Sailing, of Crawford County, Ark., and out of nine children has five still living: Estella, Charles, John, Alfred and Edward. Mr. Bagley first rented his land for three or four years, near Walnut Ridge, and then bought 120 acres north of that town. Since then he has added to it, and now owns 460 acres. He also operates a cotton-gin upon the farm, and deals very largely in stock. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and in politics a Democrat, holding the office of justice of the peace for one term.