BIO: William A. HAGERTY, Clearfield County, PA
 
Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja & Sally

Copyright 2005.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/

NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/clearfield/1picts/swoope/swoope.htm
_____________________________________________________________

From Twentieth Century History of Clearfield County, Pennsylvania,
and Representative Citizens, by Roland D. Swoope, Jr.,
Chicago: Richmond-Arnold Publishing Company, 1911, pages 972 & 973.
_____________________________________________________________ 

  WILLIAM A. HAGERTY, attorney at law, with offices in the old Masonic Building, 
at Clearfield, Pa., is a representative citizen and an able member of the 
Clearfield bar.  He was born at Glen Hope, Pa., January 22, 1857, and is a son 
of Joseph and Jane (Alexander) Hagerty.
  Joseph Hagerty was born and reared in Center County, Pa.  He was a successful 
business man and at different times was interested in farming, milling and 
merchandising, owning a store at Lumber City, Pa., at the time of his death, 
which occurred in March, 1864.  He married Jane Alexander, who was a daughter of 
William Alexander, the latter of whom died in 1867, at the age of ninety-one 
years.  His life had covered a wonderful period of his country's history, 
extending from the administration of President Washington to that of General 
Grant.  He had filled many public positions, was county commissioner, county 
treasurer and sheriff of Center County.  Of the large family born to Joseph 
Hagerty and wife, but three survive:  Mary, who is the widow of F. C. Cromm; 
Andrew J., who is a prominent merchant of Clearfield; and William Alexander, who 
preserves his mother's maiden name.
  William A. Hagerty was eight years old when the family came to Clearfield and 
here he was reared and obtained his education in the public schools and was one 
of the first three graduates of the Clearfield High School, in 1876.  Later he 
attended a college at Gettysburg for a time, after which he accepted a clerical 
position in the old Clearfield County Bank.  When prepared financially to enter 
upon the study of law, he became a student in the office of J. B. McEnally, 
later Judge McEnally, and after four years of training there was admitted to the 
Clearfield County bar in September, 1879.  With the exception of one year spent 
in the office of Judge McEnally, he has practiced alone and both personally and 
professionally stands high in Clearfield County.
  On October 24, 1893, Mr. Hagerty was married to Miss Carrie Test, a daughter 
of Israel Test, who is remembered as one of the most brilliant members of the 
Clearfield bar, and who died in 1886.  His great grandfather, George Test, came 
to America with William Penn, was the first sheriff of Philadelphia under him 
and also governor of what was called the Uplands.  Mr. and Mrs. Hagerty have had 
three children, Julia, William Test and Jane.  The eldest born died in 
childhood.  The attractive family residence is situated at No. 213 Pine Street.  
Mr. and Mrs. Hagerty are members of the Presbyterian church.  Politically he is 
a Democrat and for some time has been a member of the State Board of Health.  In 
his fraternal relations he is a Knight of Pythias and an Elk, being exalted 
ruler in the latter organization at Clearfield.