History of Medina, (Orleans County) New York United States of America

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Biographies:

John Judson Bagley, governor of Michigan, was born at Medina, N.Y., July 24, 1832. He removed to Constantine, Mich., in 1840; attended the public schools; established a tobacco factory in Detroit in 1854, and held various public offices, in that city and positions of trust in many large corporations and banks. From 1868 to 1870 he acted as chairman of the Republican state committee, and in 1872 was elected governor of Michigan. He was re-elected in 1874 and served, 1873-77. As governor he established a fish commission, a board of health, placed the boys in the reform schools on their honor, and introduced other reforms. He was married in 1855 to Frances E., daughter of the Rev. Samuel Newberry of Vermont. She was a member of the English society for the promotion of Hellenic study, of the Arch?ological institute of America and the Anthropological society of Washington, and of the Egyptian exploration society. She died in 1898. He died in San Francisco, Cal., July 27, 1881.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

Edward Eells Potter, naval officer, was born in Medina, N.Y., May 9, 1833. His parents removed to Rockford, Ill., from where he was appointed midshipman U.S.N., Feb. 5, 1850. He was promoted passed midshipman, June 20, 1856, and lieutenant July 9, 1858, serving on the St. Lawrence on the coast of Brazil, 1857-59. He was assigned to the Western Gulf squadron, May 9, 1860; serving as executive officer on the Wissahickon during the bombardment and passage of Forts Jackson and St. Philip and the capture of New Orleans. He also pascal the Vicksburg batteries twice; participated in the engagement with the ram Arkansas, and was promoted lieutenant-commander, July 16, 1862. He was attached to the De Soto of the Eastern Gulf squadron, then to the Wabash of the North Atlantic squadron, and commanded the ironclad Mahopac, 1864. He commanded the Chippewa of the North Atlantic squadron in 1865; participated in the second engagement at Fort Fisher and the bombardment of Fort Anderson, and was executive officer of the Rhode Island, 1865-67, and of the Franklin, Admiral Farragut's flagship, 1867-68. He was promoted commander, June 3, 1869; commanded the Shawmut of the North Atlantic squadron, 1871-72, and with her ascended the Orinoco river to Augostura, Venezuela, recovering from the revolutionists two steamers belonging to an American company. He commanded the Constellation, carrying supplies to the sufferers in Ireland in 1880, and was promoted captain, July 11, 1880. He was at the Brooklyn navy yard, 1881-83; commanded the Lancaster from December, 1885, to September, 1886; the League Island navy yard, 1886; was governor of the U.S. Naval Home in Philadelphia, 1891, and 1893-95; commanded the receiving-ship Minnesota, 1891-93, and the Norfolk navy yard in 1893; was promoted to the rank of commodore, June 27, 1893, and was retired through age limit, May 9, 1895. He died at his home at Belvidere, Ill., Jan. 8, 1902.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor