James Hagan & Elizabeth Burch Criswell

  James Hagan was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, 23 February 1825, the son of John Hagan and Elizabeth Glasbie, died 20 July 1903 in Jerome, Appanoose County, Iowa, and was buried in the Jerome Cemetery.  He married, in Appanoose County, Iowa, 2 August 1855, Elizabeth Burch Criswell, who was born 17 May 1833 in Marshall County, West Virginia, died 23 October 1905 in Jerome, Appanoose County, Iowa, and was buried in the Jerome Cemetery, daughter of John Criswell and Rebecca Kilgore.

Children of James Hagan and Elizabeth Burch Criswell, all born in Appanoose County, Iowa: 

1.  Mary Belle Hagan, born 17 October 1956 in Lincoln Township, married 11 October 1885 in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri, William Franklin Hawkins, died 19 April 1917 in Jerome, Appanoose County, Iowa, and was buried in the Jerome Cemetery.

2.  William Addison Hagan, born 6 January 1858 in Bellair Township, died 20 January 1937 in Jerome, Appanoose County, Iowa, and was buried in the Jerome Cemetery.  He never married.

3.  Ada Rebecca Hagan, born 25 August 1859 in Lincoln Township, married 13 October 1880 in Jerome, Appanoose County, Iowa, Wiley S. Crouch, died 28 May 1938 in Kalispell, Flathead County, Montana, and was buried in the Jerome Cemetery.

4.  John Franklin Hagan, born 5 December 1863 in Jerome, Lincoln Township, died 1 May 1930 from a fractured skull caused from a fallen clod accident while working in Coal Mine N82 in Sawyerville, Illinois, and was buried in the Jerome Cemetery.  He never married.

5.  Emma Elizabeth Hagan, born 25 January 1866 in Lincoln Township, married 2 August 1900 in Appanoose County, Iowa, William Turner Ogle, died 16 May 1957 in Centerville, Appanoose County, Iowa, and was buried in the Jerome Cemetery.

6.  Caroline Criswell Hagan, born 12 January 1868 in Lincoln Township, died 21 June 1885, and was buried in the Jerome Cemetery.

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Biographical article from Biographical and Genealogical History of Appanoose and Monroe Counties, Iowa, compiled under the editorial supervision of S. Thompson Lewis.   [New York & Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1903], pages 453-454.  Digitized 24 January 2008 by the Google Book Project.

JAMES HAGAN. 

  James Hagan is one of the old residents of Appanoose county and derives from his Irish father many of the characteristics of that race, which have undoubtedly been a considerable factor in his successful career throughout the many years of his life.
  His father was John Hagan and was a native of Dublin county, Ireland. He came to America when four years old; his parents first located in Princeton, New Jersey, and later removed to Warren county, Ohio. John Hagan became a ship carpenter and weaver by trade and was engaged in this occupation most of his life. His wife was Elizabeth Glasbie, who was a native of Virginia and went to Warren county with her parents, where she met and married Mr. Hagan. Shortly after their marriage they removed to Hamilton county, Ohio, but later returned to Warren county, where Mr. Hagan died in 1833. His wife continued the weaving business and remained on the farm until 1840. She died in 1845.
  James Hagan was the son of the above parents and was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, near Cincinnati, on the 23d of February, 1825.  He was reared principally by his mother and learned the coopering trade, which he followed in Clinton county, Ohio, up to 1848. In 1852 he became a resident of Illinois, and the following year removed to Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he remained only a short time. In the latter part of 1853 he returned to his native state of Ohio and engaged in the coopering business.
  In October, 1854, in company with Peter Sidles, he came to Appanoose county and located in Lincoln township. The next year he was married and began married life on a farm in Lincoln township. Shortly afterward he removed to Bellair township, lived one year at Numa and then returned to Lincoln township. He continued farming until 1870, when he came to Jerome and occupied his present nice home. He gave up the active duties of the farm when his sons were able to take charge. Mr. Hagan was also a carpenter by trade and followed that pursuit for several years.
  On August 2, 1855, Mr. Hagan was united in marriage to Elizabeth B. Criswell, daughter of John and Rebecca (Kilgore) Criswell. Of the six children born to them five are living: Mrs. Ada Crouch, Mrs. Mary Belle Hawkins, William A., Mrs. Emma Ogle and John.
  Mr. Hagan is the oldest Mason in Seymour Lodge, having been a member fifty-three years.  He is also a member of the Methodist church.

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OBITUARY from an unidentified newspaper clipping found among family records:

JAS. HAGAN DEAD.

  Death occured at the Home in Jerome, Monday at about 8 p.m.
  Jas. Hagan of Jerome, mention of whose serious illness was made in these columns last Friday, died at his home in Jerome on Monday evening, July 20, at near 8 o'clock.
  Deceased was one of the oldest and most highly respected citizens of Appanoose county, where he had lived to a ripe old age.  He has been ailing more or less for the past several years, being confined to his bed at different brief intervals.
  Mr. Hagan was an honorable upright gentleman, and a man in whom everyone had the greatest confidence.
  He was an honored member of the Masonic order, holding his membership in the lodge at Seymour, the members of which order will have charge of the funeral services which will be held in Jerome at 3:00 o'clock today.

Gravestone of James Hagan & Elizabeth Burch Criswell in Jerome Cemetery
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OBITUARY from an unidentified newspaper clipping found among family records:
  Mystic Letter - James Hagan, of Jerome, whose serious illness was mentioned by The Letter's Jerome correspondent last week, died on Monday of this week. Mr. Hagan was ...resident of Lincoln township and has been a valued and useful citizen.  He was postmaster at Jerome during Cleveland's administration. Mr. Hagan was well along in years but his exact age is not known at this office.
  He was a prominent Mason, begin a member of the lodge at Seymour.  The funeral services were held at Jerome at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday."
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From an unidentified newspaper clipping found among family records:
IN MEMORIAM
  At a special communication of Myrtle Lodge No. 355 A. F. and A. M. the following preamble and resolutions were authorized:
  Whereas, The Alwise and Supreme Architect of the Universe has seen fit to call from our midst our late brother, James Hagan; and,
  Whereas, The long years and intimate relations held by our beloved brother with the members of this lodge render it right and proper that we place on record our appreciation of his services as a Mason and his many excellent qualities as a man:  Therefore be it
  Resolved, By Myrtle Lodge No. 355 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, that, while we bow in humble submission to the mandate of the Most High, we do not the less mourn for our brother who has been called from his labor to rest.
  Resolved, That in the death of James Hagan this lodge looses a brother who was active and zealous in his work as a Mason when Lodges were in their infacy in Iowa; he was ever ready to extend a helping hand to the needy and afflicted of the fraternity; and in his more active years was prompt to advance the interests of the order; devoted to its welfare and prosperity; one whose wise council was sought; who was active and fearless in the right, an honest and upright man, whose virtues endeared him not only to his breatheren of the order, but to all of his fellow citizens as well.
  Resolved, That this Lodge tender its heart felt sympathies to the family and relatives of our deceased brother in their sad affliction,
  Resolved, That these resolutions be entered on the minutes of this Lodge, and a copy of them be sent to the city papers for publication.
      J. C. Fox      C. A. Conger

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From Funeral Card:  Our Dear Father, JAMES HAGAN, born Feb. 23, 1825.  Died July 20,1903.  Age 78 yrs. 4 mos. 27 days.