BAGLEY, Willis Gaylord Clark

BAGLEY, CAIN, BOGARDUS

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 11/11/2014 at 15:49:34

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
Saturday, February 15, 1941, Page 16

THEY STARTED HERE
No. 47 in a Mason City Series of Success Stories

Willis Bagley, Treasurer of State

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
If Horatio Alger, Jr., were alive and writing his famous success stories today, there's one Mason Cityan who would serve as a suitable inspiration for one of his finest narratives.

The man is one who rose from an obscure errand boy to the presidency of one of the biggest banks in Iowa. He went from humble status to national prominence in his field. He began as a younster just out of high school and became one of the leading public officials in his state.

Most Mason Cityans know Willis G. C. Bagley, if not personally, at least by his reputation as a capable, conscientious man in public and private affairs. They have seen him as a prominent citizen here for many years and have watched as he gradually was accorded more and more recognition in state and national circles.

* * *
Mr. Bagley was born in Magnolia, Wis., Oct. 29, 1873, the son of Shepherd S. and Louisa Cain Bagley. In 1877 the Bagleys came to Mason City and it was not long after that their son, Willis, went to school for the first time.

He received his entire formal education in the local schools and as a young man showed his hustle and business acumen when he operated a popcorn stand. Then he went to work for the Purdy McGregory grocery and still later for W. E. Ensign, well remembered by older residents as a clothier.

At 17, Willis Bagley got the job that was to give him his career. He went to work for the First National bank as an errand boy. For two years he was responsible for the devious small matters that fall to the lot of errand boys and then he got a break. He was made a bookkeeper.

It was not long before the bank heads began to realize that young Bagley was a valuable man and in time he was put into a teller's cage. There his pleasant personality, interest in his work and all around ability made him a real asset and put Willis G. C. Bagley in line for his next promotion.

* * *
In 1901 the young man was elected assistant cashier and seven years later became cashier. Through the following dozen years which covered the first World war, Willis Bagley worked and worked hard as cashier of the First National bank.

In those years between 1908 and 1920 Mason City thrived, growing into a bigger, more important city yearly. And with it grew the First National bank, increasing in assets and deposits becoming a more important factor in the life of the North Iowa community yearly. The bank grew from one with $20,000 in deposits to one with millions of dollars.

It was in 1920 that W. G. C. Bagley was named vice president of the First National. And in 1928 he succeeded the late C. H. McNider as head of the institution.

Down through the eyars taht had seen Mr. Bagley's transition from errand boy to bank president, the Mason Cityan had occupied an important position in the community.

* * *
He was married in 1895 to Winifred Bogardus. Mr. and Mrs. Bagley are the parents of three children, Margaret L., Burton B. and Robert W.

Perhaps it was the fact that his children were attending the same schools in which he was educated or perhaps it waas just because Mr. Bagley was interested in civic affairs, but at any rate the local bank took an active interest in the board of education, serving for 22 years as a member of that body. Sixteen of these years he was president of the board.

Mr. Bagley was president of the Chamber of Commerce for five years and served as chairman of the Community Chest campaign.

In local business affairs other than those of the bank, Mr. Bagley's advice and interests were widely sought. He became treasurer of the Northwestern States Portland Cement company, the Midland Investment company and a director of the Mason City Globe-Gazette company.

* * *
The Mason Cityan received wide recognition in state and national banking circles, being elected both treasurer and president of the Iowa Bnkers assocition at different times and serving for three years as a member of the executive council of the American Bankers association. He was also vice president of the Iowa division of the American Bankers group. He was one of three Mason Cityans mentioned in "Who's Who in America" in 1934 and is named in each edition since.

For five years Mr. Bagley was treasurer of the Iowa Hardware Mutual Insurance association.

Also locally Mr. Bagley was a member of the Methodist church, the Lions club, various Masonic orders including the shrine and consistory, the I. O. O. F., the Moose, the Elks, the Maccabees and the Modern Woodmen of the World.

* * *
In 1938, the republican party was seeking a strong ticket in an effort to return to the state house it had not seen for six lean years. Mason City's Willis G. C. Bagley was the type of man the G. O. P. wanted on its state ticket and he was persuaded to run for treasurer of state.

The fall elections saw Iowa returning to the G. O. P. fold and brought with it the election of Mason City's candidate by nearly 70,000 votes.

Came the following Jan. 1 and Mr. Bagley was inaugurated as treasurer of state and immediately he went to work to cut expenses and raise tax collections.

This he did, and well. He decreased expenses by lopping unneeded employes (sic) from the state payrool and increased the state income from gasoline taxes alone by approximately $3,000,000. The years of experience he had amassed stood treasurer of state in good stead and Iowa citizens got the finest administration in that office they had ever had.

* * *
Not only was the state a financial gainer from the Bagley administration but it received added service as well. The refunds on gasoline taxes were made within a week where it previously had taken from three to five weeks for them to be returned.

Last fall Mr. Bagley and his colleagues stood for re-election and helped carry Iowa into the column for the head of their party, Wendell L. Wilkie. And last Jan. 1 the Mason Cityan began his second term in the only political office he ever sought.

* * *
Likelihood that the state will further avail itself of Mr. Bagley's ability and experience as a banker is seen in connection with the appointment of a state superintendent of banking beginning July 1. Already members of banking associations who have grown to appreciate the Mason Cityan's ability through long years of association with him have begun to pass resolutions in support of his appointment to take over the state office in charge of banks.

* * *
And there's a brief summary of the story that would have made glad the heart of the late Mr. Alger. It's a true story, one of a man who became an outstanding citizen in his community and state by dint of his own efforts.

Everything that Willis G. C. Bagley has is waht he made for himself. His story is one that belies the idea that there is no opportunity for those who have the ability and willingness to work for it. This typical American success tale is one of which Mason City can be proud.

Photograph courtesy of Globe-Gazette

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, November of 2014

Cerro Gordo Biographies maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen