John Patrick “J. P.” Pogue was a native of Vermilion County, Illinois. He came to Bemidji in 1898 even before railroads entered the Paul Bunyan country. He served as mayor of Bemidji from 1907-09, and was one of the most colorful figures in the early history of the city. He held extensive properties both in the city and in the surrounding farm community.
Pogue started as a “toter” on a prairie freight train. At Bemidji he continued a similar occupation making regular trips, during the rigors of winter and heat of summer, and before railroads were known to them, to Turtle River, Tenstrike, Blackduck, Northome and Big Falls. Gradually ascending the scale of public recognition, Mayor Pogue assumed his first public duty as street commissioner and superintendent of the water works plant, a position he held for three years. He was elected mayor on Feb 25, 1907 and served two terms. By 1909, he held extensive properties both in the city and in the surrounding farm community and was the proprietor of one of the largest livery stables in the city. He was a well known horseman.
He remained in business for more than 18 years after his term of office as mayor, after which he purchased a farm in Hubbard county five miles south of Bemidji. He was extremely active in farm circles until the early 30’s when he suffered an accident which left him crippled and forced his retirement.
He and his wife Anna (Tompkins) Pogue lived on farm about four miles south of Bemidji in the 1920s. Anna died unexpectedly in 1928. Mr. Pogue died in 1946. Both are buried in Greenwood Cemetery. They had four sons, Frank J., James, Joseph and John.