HAGAMAN, THOMAS, a retired farmer of buffalo, Ill., was born in Bath county, Ky., January 15, 1837, son of John and Elizabeth (Shropshire) Hagaman, the former a native of Philadelphia, Pa., and the latter of Kentucky. He came to Illinois on a visit to his son Thomas ans was taken sick and died there. He served through the War of 1812, taking part in the Battle of New Orleans. His father was a native of Holland and his wife's family were from Kentucky. John Hagaman and his wife had fourteen children, of whom nine were daughters, and besides Thomas two sons and two daughters still survive.

The education of Thomas Hagaman was received in Kentucky, and though he attended school only about three months, he educated himself later and made the most of all his opportunities for improvement. As a young man he conducted a saw mill in Bath County, Ky., for five years, and for two years worked in iron mills there. He came to Sangamon County in 1860 and spent two years driving an ox team, then took up farming. He worked ten years in a tile yard, then resumed farming and became quite successful. For the past twenty-five years he has acted as street commissioner and has also served as Constable. He and his son have been quite successful in conducting a small apiary. He is a devout Christian and carries his teachings and principles into his everyday life. For the past thirty-five years he has been a Deacon in the Christian Church, of which he is an active member. In politics he is a Democrat. He has worked hard most of his life and well enjoys the rest he has earned.

January 15, 1862, Mr. Hagaman married, in Springfield, Sarah McClain, who was born in Bath County, Ky., July 28, 1838, and died October 4, 1901. Her father was a farmer and he and his wife spent all their lives in Kentucky. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hagaman: Albert, of buffalo, Ill.; Isabelle, Mrs. Masters, living on a farm near Mechanicsburg; Lafayette, a carpenter, living with his father; Thomas, died July 20, 1871; David A., also a carpenter, lives with his father. Mr. Hagaman has fourteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He married (second) Mrs. Ellen Cornell, a native of Kentucky, and no children were born to this union. Mollie H., a step-daughter lives in the family. Mr. Hagaman has a comfortable home in Buffalo.