Putnam County FlArchives Biographies.....Hagan, Peter M. October 15, 1871 - 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/fl/flfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Nancy Rayburn http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00025.html#0006128 February 19, 2015, 11:57 pm

Source: Vol.II  pg.23-24  The Lewis Publishing Co. 1923
Author: History of Florida, Past and Present      

HAGAN, PETER MUNROE.  Prominent among the citizens of Putnam County who have 
the right to be known as self-made men is PETER MONROE HAGAN, of Palatka, 
sheriff of Putnam County since 1916. Long before the public as a law 
enforcement officer in one or another capacity, he has established a splendid 
record for conscientious and effective work and for achievements and 
accomplishments entirely self-gained.
	Sheriff Hagan was born October 15, 1871, in Bradford County, Florida, 
and is a son of J. C. and ANNIE JANE (SWINDLE) HAGAN. The Hagan family of which 
he is a member originated in Ireland, whence the progenitor in America 
immigrated to this country an early date. His grandfather, JOHN W. HAGAN, spent 
his life in Virginia, whence came J. C. HAGAN at an early date to Florida, 
settling at Melrose in Bradford County, where he engaged in the pursuits of 
farming and stock raising. During the active years of his life he continued to 
follow these pursuits with much success, being a man of industry and good 
management. After living at Melrose for some years he moved to Geneva Lake, and 
then went to a place now known Theressa, in Bradford County, where his death 
occurred in September, 1892, when he was seventy-six years of age.  Mr. Hagan 
was a democrat and always voted the democratic ticket, but took very little 
interest in politics. He was a member of the Baptist Church, and lived his 
faith every day and was a regular church attendant.  He was a man prominently 
known, and, possessing superior judgment was consulted by his neighbors 
frequently upon business subjects.  His worthy wife died in February, 1914.  
They were the parents of sixteen children, eleven sons and five daughters, and 
of these seven are now living, six being sons: B. H., a railroad man of 
Valdosta, Georgia; T. M., engaged in business at Hampton, Florida; J. D., a 
business man of South Jacksonville, Florida; S. H., Of Palatka, Florida; and 
PETER M., of Palatka..  JOHN W. HAGAN, another brother, now deceased, was chief 
of police of Palatka for three years and was then elected sheriff of Putnam 
County continued to serve in that capacity for eight years, or until his 
resignation. Were he alive today, and wished it, he could be occupying the 
sheriff’s office, as he was well-liked by all and had proven himself one of the 
best sheriffs the State of Florida ever had. He died when sixty-five years of 
age. This family was reared in Bradford in Putnam counties and went to school 
in the former. It was brought up and rocked in the cradle of democracy, and the 
children have always been loyal to the democratic party.
	The fourteenth in order of birth of his father’s large family, PETER 
MONROE HAGAN enjoyed only limited educational advantages. However, he made the 
most of his opportunities, and in subsequent years has exercised powers of 
observation and has done much reading, to such effect that he is accounted one 
of the well-educated men of the community and a man who possesses what he does 
because of his own exertions. He was but fourteen years of age when he left the 
paternal roof to make his own way in the world, and his first experience was 
secured in a grocery store at Palatka, where he worked for about one year. He 
then was made a night policeman, an office in which he served for about four 
years, following which he was elected chief of police of Palatka, and served 
eleven years and seven months in that capacity. He was next appointed chief 
deputy, under R. L. KENNERLY, then sheriff, and served as such for five years, 
after which he was appointed deputy United States marshal for the Southern 
District of Florida. After serving one year he was appointed deputy collector 
of internal revenue, and incumbency which he occupied for two years. At that 
time he had tendered him the appointment as United States marshal for the 
southern district of Florida, but did not accept, as he had decided on becoming 
a candidate for the office of sheriff of Putnam County. He later did so, and in 
1916 was elected by a large majority over four other candidates for the office. 
His first term was characterized by his usual effective and energetic discharge 
of his duties, and in June, 1920, he was elected to succeed himself, receiving 
a large plurality over three other candidates. His administration of the 
affairs of his office has proved greatly gratifying to the law abiding people 
of Putnam County, and Sheriff Hagan is justly accounted one of the most capable 
and conscientious officials the county has to offer.
	Mr. Hagan is a staunch and undeviating democrat in his political views. 
He has been actively engaged in civic affairs for many years, and has always 
taken a pride in the welfare and development of the interests of both city and 
county. Fraternally he is identified with Palatka Lodge No. 82, F. and A. M., 
the Knights of Pythias and the Improved Order of Red Men, and also belongs to 
the Kiwanis Club, while his religious faith is that of the Baptist Church. His 
diversions and recreations consist largely of fishing, hunting, horseback 
riding and swimming.
	At Palatka, March 24, 1895, Sheriff Hagan was united in marriage with 
Miss SALLIE MARY CANNON, a daughter of REDDICK CANNON, who lived six miles from 
Palatka, at Peniel. She was educated in the public grammar and high schools of 
Putnam County, and is a woman of superior intellect, but naturally domestic in 
her tastes. To this union there has been born one daughter, Mrs. GERTRUDE 
BLACK, who had the advantages of a high school education and now makes her home 
with her parents. She is the mother of one son, HAROLD LAMAR BLACK.


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/fl/putnam/bios/hagan90bs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/flfiles/

File size: 6.3 Kb