John B. Gagnon

John B. Gagnon (born October 5, 1883, Caribou, Maine; died May 4, 1939, Augusta, Maine) was a strongman performer in the 1920s. At one time, he claimed the unofficial title of "World's Strongest Man."

World's Strongest Man contest

Gagnon was 5- foot-10-inches tall, weighed 230 pounds, and had 17-inch biceps. In a contest against Warren Lincoln Travis in 1923, Gagnon bested the champion. A platform weighing 710 pounds was set up that could be lifted from above and also back lifted from below. Here are Gagnon's accomplishments with the platform:

Physical abilities

Among the Gagnon's alleged phycical abilities are the following:

Career after quitting performing

Deferring to the wishes of his family, Gagnon gave of performing in the late 1920s. He took a job with the Vicory and Hill Company in Augusta, Maine, where his job was to handle large rolls of paper, each weighing between 500 and 1,000 pounds. Normally, two men were required for the job, but Gagnon did it alone and collected double pay.

He died at his home in Augusta on May 4, 1939, age 55.

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    External links

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