Peter G. Hagen

Peter G. Hagen, carrying on general farming on the old Hagen homestead on sections 8 and 9, Paint Creek township, whereon he has resided since his childhood, was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1854. He is a son of Gilbert and Agnette (Coldor) Hagen, natives of Norway, where their marriage occurred. In 1854 they came to the United States and after spending a short time in Chicago came west to Iowa, settling in Lansing, Allamakee county. For three years thereafter the father worked as a farm laborer in that vicinity and at the end of that time bought forty acres of land on the east side of Paint Creek township, which he developed and improved for three or four years. Eventually he purchased the farm upon which his son now resides, buying first one hundred and sixty acres of wild land, to which he added from time to time until the farm reached its present proportions. The first house was built of logs and is still standing, although in 1883 a modern stone dwelling was erected. When the father bought the homestead he was very poor, not having enough money to pay for having the papers made out, but with characteristic energy he applied himself to the work of its development and at his death, which occurred when he was fifty-six years of age, was a man of prominence and importance in this region. He was a member of the Lutheran church and a stanch republican in his political beliefs and in his passing Allamakee county lost one of the most deservedly successful of her pioneer citizens.

Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Hagen were the parents of ten children: Martha, the wife of T. Leikvold, of Paint Creek township; Peter G., of this review; Christina, who married Otto Sorenson, of Paint Creek township; Hannah, now Mrs. John Fossom, of the same township; Halver, who is engaged in farming in Makee township; Lena, who married L. A. Wellman, of Monona, Clayton county; Edward, who spent nine years in the army and who is now a resident of Paint Creek township; Otto, a railroad clerk in Livingston, Montana; Albert, a farmer in this township; and Melvin, who is a clerk in the Agricultural Department, resides in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Peter Hagen was still an infant when his parents settled upon the Hagen homestead and he has never left this property, which he has today in an excellent condition. After his father's death he purchased the interests of the other heirs and is now the proprietor of two hundred and forty acres of land on sections 8 and 9, upon which he carries on general farming, his success coming as a result of his practical and unremitting labors.

On the 18th of June, 1881, Mr. Hagen was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Paulson, a daughter of Peter Paulson, of whom further mention is made elsewhere in this work. To this union were born six children: Gilman; Selma; Eddie; Martha; Luella; and Edward, who has passed away.

Mr. Hagen gives his political allegiance to the republican party and is a member of the Lutheran church. He rendered the township excellent service for many years as a member of the school board and is now doing creditable and able work as township trustee. He is interested in everything that pertains to the welfare and growth of the section where practically his entire life has been spent and by his labors in the operation of his fine farm has made substantial contributions to its agricultural development.

-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Jan Miller

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