Harry T. Bagley
Encyclopedia
Harry Taylor Bagley was an American attorney and politician in the state of Oregon
. A native of Ohio, he was raised in Washington County, Oregon
, where he practiced law and was a local official. He also served as a two-term mayor of Hillsboro
, the county seat, and under his administration the city’s public works were modernized and roads paved for the first time.
, to William and Sarah Bagley (nee Robinson). The couple had wed in England in 1866 before immigrating to the United States that same year. Harry was one of six children born to the English natives, which included William H., George
, Nellie, and Lillie. Harry lived in Canton until 1885 when the whole family moved west to Oregon, where his father farmed.
Harry continued his education at the local public schools in Washington County, and at the county seat, Hillsboro. He then attended high school in neighboring Portland beginning in 1890. In 1894, he started reading law
at the law firm of Ellis and Lyons in Heppner, Oregon
. William R. Ellis
had served in congress and T. R. Lyons served as a judge for the Federal Court for the Alaska Territory
. Bagley was admitted to practice law in Oregon in July 1897. At this time he was also a registered insurance agent in both Hillsboro and Heppner. On January 18, 1899, he married Cora M. Rhea, a native of Morrow County
in Eastern Oregon
, and the daughter of a banker in Heppner.
for the county, a position he would continue to hold until August 1900 under district attorney T. J. Cleeton. Bagley served as the justice of the peace
in Hillsboro from 1902 to 1908, and later served as the bankruptcy referee for the county.
Bagley worked for Clackamas County in a lawsuit in 1915 against the county over a contract with a detective hired to investigate a murder case. Meanwhile, brother George helped represent the detective suing the county, with the detective winning the lawsuit and $2,000. In 1919, he, along with Samuel B. Huston
, worked for defendant Rosa Merlo on her appeal to the Oregon Supreme Court
of her manslaughter conviction for killing her husband. Merlo had originally been convicted at trial in Hillsboro, where Harry’s brother George served as the judge.
In May 1911, he signed six ordinances that ordered the paving of 12 blocks of streets in the central business district. Bagley led the official Hillsboro welcome to the arrival of the Portland, Eugene & Eastern electric railroad in January 1914. Also while mayor he appointed his brother George, and others, to a special water commission to study how to replace the city’s inadequate water supply system. The commission recommended a gravity-run system that was estimated to cost $131,000 to build. Also during his tenure, the city improved their sewer system. He also served as a member of the Hillsboro school board
.
. During World War I
he was a member of the Council of National Defense
. Harry T. Bagley died on January 20, 1919, of pneumonia in Hillsboro at the age of 44. He was buried at the Hillsboro Pioneer Cemetery
.
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. A native of Ohio, he was raised in Washington County, Oregon
Washington County, Oregon
- Major highways :* Interstate 5* Interstate 205* U.S. Route 26* Oregon Route 6* Oregon Route 8* Oregon Route 10* Oregon Route 47* Oregon Route 99W* Oregon Route 210* Oregon Route 217* Oregon Route 219-Demographics:...
, where he practiced law and was a local official. He also served as a two-term mayor of Hillsboro
Hillsboro, Oregon
Hillsboro is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and is the county seat of Washington County. Lying in the Tualatin Valley on the west side of the Portland metropolitan area, the city is home to many high-technology companies, such as Intel, that compose what has become known as the...
, the county seat, and under his administration the city’s public works were modernized and roads paved for the first time.
Early life
Harry Bagley was born on December 23, 1874, in Canton, OhioCanton, Ohio
Canton is the county seat of Stark County in northeastern Ohio, approximately south of Akron and south of Cleveland.The City of Caton is the largest incorporated area within the Canton-Massillon Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, to William and Sarah Bagley (nee Robinson). The couple had wed in England in 1866 before immigrating to the United States that same year. Harry was one of six children born to the English natives, which included William H., George
George R. Bagley
George Robert Bagley was an American attorney and jurist in the state of Oregon. A native of Ohio, he was raised in Washington County, Oregon, where he practiced law and served as a circuit court judge for nearly 25 years...
, Nellie, and Lillie. Harry lived in Canton until 1885 when the whole family moved west to Oregon, where his father farmed.
Harry continued his education at the local public schools in Washington County, and at the county seat, Hillsboro. He then attended high school in neighboring Portland beginning in 1890. In 1894, he started reading law
Reading law
Reading law is the method by which persons in common law countries, particularly the United States, entered the legal profession before the advent of law schools. This usage specifically refers to a means of entering the profession . A small number of U.S...
at the law firm of Ellis and Lyons in Heppner, Oregon
Heppner, Oregon
The city of Heppner is the county seat of Morrow County, Oregon, United States. It was originally called Standsbury Flat for George W. Standsbury, one of the first white settlers in the area. It was later renamed to honor Henry Heppner, a Jewish pioneer who opened the first general store there in...
. William R. Ellis
William R. Ellis
William Russell Ellis was an American educator, attorney and politician in the state of Oregon. A native of Indiana, he grew up in Iowa before moving to Oregon where he worked as a school superintendent and district attorney. A Republican, he served as U.S...
had served in congress and T. R. Lyons served as a judge for the Federal Court for the Alaska Territory
Alaska Territory
The Territory of Alaska was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 24, 1912, until January 3, 1959, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Alaska...
. Bagley was admitted to practice law in Oregon in July 1897. At this time he was also a registered insurance agent in both Hillsboro and Heppner. On January 18, 1899, he married Cora M. Rhea, a native of Morrow County
Morrow County, Oregon
Morrow County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon, on the south side of the Columbia River. It is included in the 8 county definition of Eastern Oregon. The county is named for one of its first white settlers, Jackson L. Morrow, who was a member of the state legislature when the county...
in Eastern Oregon
Eastern Oregon
Eastern Oregon is the eastern part of the U.S. state of Oregon. It is not an officially recognized geographic entity, thus the boundaries of the region vary according to context. It is sometimes understood to include only the eight easternmost counties in the state; in other contexts, it includes...
, and the daughter of a banker in Heppner.
Legal career
That year he began practicing law in Washington County, and beginning in August he also served as a deputy district attorneyDistrict attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
for the county, a position he would continue to hold until August 1900 under district attorney T. J. Cleeton. Bagley served as the justice of the peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
in Hillsboro from 1902 to 1908, and later served as the bankruptcy referee for the county.
Bagley worked for Clackamas County in a lawsuit in 1915 against the county over a contract with a detective hired to investigate a murder case. Meanwhile, brother George helped represent the detective suing the county, with the detective winning the lawsuit and $2,000. In 1919, he, along with Samuel B. Huston
Samuel B. Huston
Samuel Bruce Huston was an American politician and lawyer in Oregon. Originally a Democrat and later a Republican, he served in both chambers of the Oregon Legislative Assembly and was twice the mayor of Hillsboro, Oregon...
, worked for defendant Rosa Merlo on her appeal to the Oregon Supreme Court
Oregon Supreme Court
The Oregon Supreme Court is the highest state court in the U.S. state of Oregon. The only court that may reverse or modify a decision of the Oregon Supreme Court is the Supreme Court of the United States. The OSC holds court at the Oregon Supreme Court Building in Salem, Oregon, near the capitol...
of her manslaughter conviction for killing her husband. Merlo had originally been convicted at trial in Hillsboro, where Harry’s brother George served as the judge.
Political career
On December 2, 1901, Bagley became the recorder for the city of Hillsboro, and held that position until December 1, 1907. A Republican, he was elected as the mayor of Hillsboro in December 1910, and served in that position from December 5, 1910 until January 4, 1915. Bagley had run unopposed on a progressive ticket with a promise to start paving streets in Hillsboro, and garnered 326 votes out of 329 votes cast in the election.In May 1911, he signed six ordinances that ordered the paving of 12 blocks of streets in the central business district. Bagley led the official Hillsboro welcome to the arrival of the Portland, Eugene & Eastern electric railroad in January 1914. Also while mayor he appointed his brother George, and others, to a special water commission to study how to replace the city’s inadequate water supply system. The commission recommended a gravity-run system that was estimated to cost $131,000 to build. Also during his tenure, the city improved their sewer system. He also served as a member of the Hillsboro school board
Hillsboro School District
The Hillsboro School District 1J is a unified school district located in Hillsboro, Oregon, United States. The district operates 26 elementary schools, four middle schools, and four high schools. Founded in 1851, the school district covers Hillsboro, Scholls, Reedville, North Plains, West Union,...
.
Later life and death
In civic affairs, he was a member of the Knights of PythiasKnights of Pythias
The Knights of Pythias is a fraternal organization and secret society founded at Washington, DC, on 19 February 1864.The Knights of Pythias was the first fraternal organization to receive a charter under an act of the United States Congress. It was founded by Justus H. Rathbone, who had been...
. During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
he was a member of the Council of National Defense
Council of National Defense
The Council of National Defense was a United States organization formed during World War I to coordinate resources and industry in support of the war effort, including the coordination of transportation, industrial and farm production, financial support for the war, and public...
. Harry T. Bagley died on January 20, 1919, of pneumonia in Hillsboro at the age of 44. He was buried at the Hillsboro Pioneer Cemetery
Hillsboro Pioneer Cemetery
The Hillsboro Pioneer Cemetery is in Hillsboro, Oregon, United States. Located at the west end of the town along the Tualatin Valley Highway and adjacent to Dairy Creek. The cemetery comprises three formerly private cemeteries...
.