CLARENCE LEROY HAGEN, SR.

Clarence LeRoy Hagen, Sr. gravestone
(Photo by Vernon B. Paddock)

B. July 6, 1892 in Hartland Township, Freeborn County, MN
D. April 16, 1954 in Waukegan, Lake County, IL
Find A Grave memorial (click here)

  • Father: Nils/Nels Christensen Hagen born July 28, 1866 in Hurdalsverk, Hurdal commune, Akershus fylke, Norway, son of Christian Gerhardson Hagen (1820-1891) and Anne Nilsdatter (Anderson) Hagen (1822-1906); married (1) Caroline Lundy on December 10, 1889 in Hartland, Freeborn County, MN; married (2) Nekhline/Nicoline/Nicolena (Andersdatter) Hoff on September 18, 1899 in Albert Lea, Freeborn County, MN; Nekhline was born July 25, 1869 in Norway; she was first married to Anders “Andrew” Hoff (?-1898); Nils died May 28, 1921 in Albert Lea, Freeborn County, MN; Nils and Nekhline are buried in Lakewood Cemetery, Albert Lea, Freeborn County, MN;

According to an undocumented newspaper article from Ancestry.com contributor “Julrene_olson”:

“Nels Hagen and Bernt Evenson Meet Death at
Noon Today When Handcar Was Struck By
M. & St. L. Passenger No. 5, Running Five
Hours Late on Account of the Storm.  Section
Boss Julius Gunderson Jumps But Suffers Bad
Injuries.

   A tragedy occurred three miles northwest of the city before noon Saturday when train No. 5, north bound, struck and almost instantly killed Sectionmen Nels Hagen, 527 Pleasant Avenue and Bernt Evenson, Pleasant Avenue and severely injuring Julian Gunderson, 1005 St. Johns street.
   The men had stopped at a very sharp curve of the road and with the hand car on the rails, were repairing a portion of the track.
   Passenger No. five, unknown to the section men, was running five hours late.  As the fast train have in sight, the men attempted to push the motor car off the track.  Mr. Gunderson could see that they were too late to get the machine off so cried: “Jump boy jump.”  All jumped but too late to escape being struck.
  Bernt was hurled to one side of the track and Julius and Nels the other side.
   The engineer on the passenger set his brakes and stopped within a few telegraph poles length.  Nels, who suffered internal injuries, sate up when Mr. Gunderson, went over to him.  He attempted to say something, waved his arms about, but soon fell over dead.
   For a time Mr. Gunderson and the trainmen were unable to locate Evenson, but after some search in the long grass, they discovered his body horrible mangled.  Both legs were broken in several places and his hand was badly crushed, as were several parts of his body.  Death must have been instantaneous.
   Mr. Gunderson’ trousers were partly torn from his body.  He suffered a badly injured hip and a severe blow on the right side of his head.  His injuries and the shock he received in the death of his two fellow workmen, was all he could bear.
   The trainmen placed the two bodies in the baggage coach and Mr. Gunderson in a passenger car and went on to New Richland where they met passenger No. two, south bound.  The bodies and Mr. Gunderson were transferred to No. 2 and brought back to Albert Lea, arriving here at 12:10 o’clock.
   The trainmen of No. 5 were Fred Heftner, engineer; Rinehart, conductor and Fireman Munshaw, all of Minneapolis.  Naturally, the trainmen were all broken up over the tragedy.
   “I never fail to ask at the depot each morning if there are any extras or trains late,” said Mr. Gunderson to a Tribune representative shortly after the accident.  “This morning I asked as usual, but no one told me about No. 5 being late.  We stopped at the sharp curve three miles out to fix the track.  I never heard the train until it started around the bend.  I called to Bernt and Nels to jump and then jumped myself.  We couldn’t get away in time.  Both Nels and Bernt were good workmen.  They have been with me for five years.  Both are married men with families.  It’s going to be a terrible shock to their folks.  I just barely escaped being killed.  My head hurts badly, as does my right hip.”
   Coroner Webber took the bodies from the Union station to his undertaking establishment as soon as they arrived.

Families Not Notified.

   The two men were killed about eleven o’clock and at one o’cloc (sic) neither family had been notified.  Shortly after one o’clock one of the trainmen heard that no one had brought the sad news to the homes, as he drove out himself and performed the unpleasant duty.”

 According to the Courier (Waterloo, Iowa) Monday, October 25, 1954, page 2:

“MRS. NICALINE H. HAGEN.

   Mrs. Nicaline H. Hagen, 85, of Albert Lea, Minn., died Sunday at 4:56 p. m. at the home of a daughter at 145 Summit Ave. of complications incident to advanced age.
   She had been visiting her daughter, Mrs. Orlando O. Sorenson, for 10 weeks.
   She was born in Norway July 25, 1869, but spent most of her life in this country.  In 1889 she was married to Andrew Hoff, who died in 1898.  In 1905 she was married to Nels Hagen at Albert Lea, and he preceded her in death in 1922.
   Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Sorenson and Mrs. Agnes Knutsen of Los Angeles, Cal., and two sons, Adolph Hoff of Hopkins, Minn., and Conrad Hagen of Albert Lea.
   The body was taken from Kearns-Dykeman Chapel to Bonnerup Funeral Home at Albert Lea, where services are planned for Wednesday afternoon.”

  • Mother: Caroline “Carrie” (Lundy) Hagen born May 1, 1869 in Minnesota; Caroline died March 11, 1898 in Hartland, Freeborn County, MN; buried at South Hartland Cemetery, Hartland, Freeborn County, MN;

According to the Freeborn County Standard (Albert Lea MN) Wednesday, March 16, 1898, page 8:

   “Mrs. Nels Hagen passed away last Friday and was laid to rest in the United Lutheran cemetery, southeast of town, the following Monday. Rev. O. G. Belsheim conducted the funeral service and a large number of relatives and friends followed the deceased to her last resting place.  She leaves a husband and two small children and many other relatives to mourn her loss.  As Mr. Hagen has had two funerals in his family with two weeks his cup of sorrow is full to overflowing.  He has our deepest sympathy in the present affliction and we hope from this time on Heaven’s choicest blessings will rest on him and his little family.”

According to the Freeborn County Standard (Albert Lea MN) Wednesday, January 29, 1896, page 8:

   “The infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Nels Hagen passed away Jan. 25 and was laid to rest the following week in the United Lutheran cemetery south of town.  The afflicted parents have our sympathy in their hour of sorrow.”

    • Peter Alvin Hagen born May 14, 1897 in Hartland, Freeborn County, MN; Peter died March 12, 1898 in Hartland, Freeborn County, MN; buried in South Hartland Cemetery, Hartland, Freeborn County, MN;

According to the Freeborn County Standard (Albert Lea MN) Wednesday, March 9, 1898, page 8:

   “Mrs. Nels Hagan is very low, Dr. Stevenson performed a surgical operation for her last Friday.  Their baby boy was laid to rest in the United Lutheran cemetery southeast of town last Wednesday.  Rev. O. S. Beilshiem conducted the funeral services.  The parents have our sympathy in their hour of sorrow.”

  • Half Siblings (Children of Nils/Nels Christensen Hagen and Nekhline/Nicoline (Andersdatter) Hagen) :
    • Conrad Nels Hagen born September 16, 1900 in Hartland, Freeborn County, MN; married Ovidea Thea Schiager (1900-1986), daughter of Anton S. Schiager (1858-1937 and Kari (Runden) Schiager (1866-1941); Conrad died September 13, 1968 in Albert Lea, Freeborn County, MN; buried in Lakewood Cemetery, Albert Lea, Freeborn County, MN;

According to the Albert Lea Tribune from FindAGrave contributor “julrene thornberg”:

   “Funeral service for Condrad H. Hagen, 67, of 510 Court St. will be at 3:30 Monday in First Lutheran Church, Albert Lea.  Interment will be in the Lakewood Cemetery.
   A son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Nels Hagen, he was born on September 16, 1900 at Hartland.  He died of a stroke and complications at 12:15 a.m. Friday in Naeve Hospital.
   He was a member of First Lutheran Church and the AFL-CIO, Albert Lea Building and Construction Union.  He had been an employer of Brown and Quinlivan, and retired in 1964.
   Mr. Hagen and Ovidea Schiager were married Oct. 13, 1923.  She survives him.
   Other survivors are: two daughters, Mrs. Howard (Lilas) Freeman of Alden and Mrs. Robert (Mary Jane) Freeman of Cottage Grove, Oregon.
   A son Creighton of Rt. 1; a grandson, Robert Hagen of Waterloo, Iowa, who made his home with them.
   Ten other grandchildren and a sister, Mrs. Orlando (Christina) Sorenson of Waterloo, Iowa, and a half sister, Mrs. Agnes Knutson of Los Angeles, Calif.”

    • Christine Anna “Annie” (Hagen) Sorenson born September 13, 1904 in Hartland, Freeborn County, MN; married Orlando Sorenson on July 17, 1937 in Northwood, Wood County, IA; Christine died April 5, 1993; buried in Garden of Memories, Waterloo, Black Hawk County, IA; last residence: Anderson, Anderson, South Carolina;

According to the Courier (Waterloo IA) Tuesday, April 6, 1993, page 6:

   “Christine A. Sorenson, 88, of the Cedar Falls Health Care Center, formerly of 145 Summit Ave., died at the care center Monday, April 5, of natural causes.
   She was born September 15, 1904, in Hartland, Minn., daughter of Nels C. and Nekoline Hagen.  She married Orlando Sorenson (1904-1974) on July 17, 1937, in Northwood.  He died June 25, 1974.
   She is survived by a nephew, Robert Hagen of Anderson, S.C.
   Graveside services will be 2:30 p.m. Wednesday in Garden of Memories Cemetery.  There will be no visitation.  Locke Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.”

    • Carl Gerhard Hagen born October 4, 1908 in Hartland, Freeborn County, MN; Veteran, Private, 124th Infantry, 31st Division; Carl was killed in action on August 3, 1944 in Papua New Guinea; buried in Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Manila, Petro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines;

According to the U.S. World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947:

“Name: Carl Gerhard Hagen; Address: 527 Pleasant Ave., Albert Lea, Freeborn County, Minnesota; Telephone: None; Age in Years: 32; Date of Birth: 10 4 1908; Place of Birth: Hartland, Minnesota, U.S.A.; Name of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: Mr. Otto Avlin Hagen; Relationship of That Person: Brother; Address of That Person: Box 144, Sac City, Sac County, Iowa; Employer’s Name: Central West Power and Light Co.; Place of Employment: Omaha, Nebraska; Race;  White; Height: 5′ 11″; Weight: 187; Eyes: Blue; Hair: Blonde; Complexion: Ruddy; Signed: Oct. 16, 1940”

According to the U.S., World War II and Korean Conflict Veterans Interred Overseas:

“Name: Carl G. Hagen; Inducted From: Minnesota; Rank: Private; Combat Organization: 124th Infantry 31st Division; Death Date: 3 Aug 1944; Monument: Fort William Mckinley, Manila, the Phillipines; Last Known State: Buried; U.S. Awards: Purple Heart Medal”

    • Otto Alvin Hagen born October 6, 1912 in Walters, Faribault County, MN; veteran See-bee, Iowa EM1 USNR; married Bernice Adams on December 9, 1936 in Arcadia, Carroll County, IA; Otto died December 17, 1949 in Sac City, Sac County, IA; buried in Oakland Cemetery, Sac City, Sac County, IA;

According to the Albert Lea Tribune from the FindAGrave website:

   “Funeral service for Otto A. Hagen, 37, were held Tuesday at Sac City, Iowa.  He was buried at Oakland Cemetery there with the local Veterans of Foreign Wars in charge.
   Mr. Hagen was a former resident of Albert Lea.  He was born in Walters on Oct. 6, 1912, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Nels Hagen.  He left Albert Lea 20 years ago to work for the telephone company there.
   At the time of his death he was manager of the Sac City telephone company.
   He married Bernice Adams in Sac City.  He died last Saturday in Sac City after an illness of three months.
   His brother, Carl of Albert was killed in action in 1944.  He served with Sea-bees during the last war.
   He was a member of the First Lutheran Church here and a member of the VFW in Sac City.
  He is survived by his wife, Bernice, his mother, a brother, Conrad; two sisters, Mrs. Ole (Christine) Sorenson of Waterloo, Iowa, and Mrs. Agnes Knutson of Los Angeles, Calif.”

  • Step siblings (children of Anders “Andrew” Hoff and Nekhline/Nicoline/Nicolena (Andersdatter) Hoff)
    • Adolph Hoff born January 5, 1894 in Lamberton, Redwood County, MN; married Anna Oline Nelson (1894-1951) on February 20, 1917 in Minnesota, daughter of Theodore Nelson (1868-1949) and Kisti (Hawkins) Nelson (1870-1940); Adolph died January 13, 1965 in New Hope, Hennepin County, MN; Adolph and Anna are buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, MN;

According to the Minneapolis Star (Minneapolis MN) Friday, January 15, 1965, page 32:

“HOFF – Adolph, age 71 years, of 1125 Ives Lane No., Plymouth and The Pines, Deephaven.  Survived by son, Owen A.; daughters, Mrs. Harold (Ana Mae) Yocum of Wayzata, Mrs. Donald E. (Erma) Evans of Seattle, Wash.; sisters, Mrs. Agnes Knutson, of L.A., Calif., and Mrs. Orlando Sorenson of Waterloo, Iowa; brother Conrad Hagen, of Albert Lea, Minn.; 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.  Services Saturday 1:30 at Grace Lutheran Church, Deephaven.  Interment Oak Hill Cemetery, Mpls.  Friends may call at the Huber-Lee Funeral Home, Excelsior beginning Friday noon and at the church previous to service.  Memorials preferred to the Church Building Fund.”

    • Agnes Natalie (Hoff) Knutson born July 12, 1898 in Minnesota; married William F. Knutson (1893-1985) on December 4, 1919 in Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, IA; Agnes died April 7, 1979 in Orange County, CA; last residence in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA; Agnes and William are buried in Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier, Los Angeles County, CA

Additional Information:

According to the 1900 U.S. Census for Hartland Township, Freeborn County, MN the household members were:

“Nils Hagen, head, born July 1865, age 34, married 1 year, born in Norway, parents born in Norway, immigrated 1872, 28 years in U.S., occupation: farmer; Nicoline A. Hagen, wife, born July 1870, age 29, married 1 year, 2 children born, 2 children living, born in Norway, parents born in Norway, immigrated 1893, 7 years in U.S.; Clarence Hagen, son, born July 1892, age 7, son, born in Minnesota; Adolf Hoff, step son, born January 1894, age 6, single, born in Minnesota; Agnes Natalie Hoff, step daughter, born July 1898, age 1, single, born in Minnesota”

According to the 1905 Minnesota, U.S., Territorial and State Census for 1849-1905 in Hartland Township, Freeborn County, MN living at R.F.D. Route 1, the household members were:

“Nils C. Hagen, age 39, born in Norway, parent born in Norway, lived in this state and district for 31 years, occupation: farmer; Nicoline A. Hagen, age 35, born in Norway, parents born in Norway, lived in this state 14 years, lived in this district 0 years; Nelee N. Hagen, age 14 9/12, born in Minnesota, father born in Norway, mother born in Minnesota, lived in this state and district 14 years and 9 months; Clarence N. Hagen, age 12 11/12, born in Minnesota, father born in Norway, mother born in Minnesota, lived in state and district 12 years and 11 months; Adolph A. Hoff/Hagen, age 11 5/12, born in Minnesota, parents born in Norway, lived in state and district 11 years and 5 months; Agnes A. Hoff/Hagen, age 8, born in Minnesota, parents born in Norway, lived in state and district 8 years; Nels C. Hagen, age 4 8/12, born in Minnesota, parents born in Norway; Anna C. Hagen, age 8/12, born in Minnesota, parents born in Norway, lived in state and district 8 months.”

According to the U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918:

“Name in full: Clarence Hagen; Age in yrs: 24; Home address: RR# 2, Albert Lea, Minn; Date of birth: July 7th 1892; a natural born citizen; Where were you born? Hartland town, Minn, U.S.A.; What is your present trade: Farming; By whom employed? J P. Jenson; Where employed? Bancroft, Minn.; Have you a father, mother, wife, child under 12, or a sister or brother under 12, solely dependent on you for support?: yes, a wife and 1 child; Married; Race? Caucasian; What military service have you had? none; Do you claim exemption from draft? no; medium height; medium build; Color of eyes? blue; Color of hair?: med. brown; Bald?: no; Has person lost arm, leg, hand, foot or both eyes, or is he otherwise disabled? no; Signed: June 5, 1917”

According to the 1920 U.S. Census for Albert Lea City, Freeborn County, MN, living at 210 E. College Street, the household members were:

“Clarence Hagen, head, age 26, married, born in Minnesota, parents born in Norway, occupation: shackling – packing house; Mary Hagen, wife, age 24, married, immigrated 1903, naturalized 1914, born in Denmark, parents born in Denmark; Palmer Hagen, son, age 4 11/12, single, born in Minnesota; Chester Hagen, son, age 1 2/12, single, born in Minnesota.”

According to the 1930 U.S. Census for Albert Lea City, Albert Lea Township, Freeborn County, Minnesota living at 415 Newton Street, the household members were:

“Clarence L. Hagen, head, age 37, married at age 22, born in Minnesota, parents born in Norway, occupation: agent – oil bulk plant; Mary, Hagen, wife, age 35, married at age 18, born in Denmark, parents born in Denmark, occupation: waitress – café; Palmer C. Hagen, song, age 15, single, born in Minnesota; Chester E. Hagen, son, age 11, single, born in Minnesota; Clarence L. Hagen, son, age 5, single, born in Minnesota.”

According to the U.S., World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942:

“Name: Clarence Louis Hagen; Place of Residence: Hartland Twp. Freeborn, Minnesota, rfd-2; Telephone: none; Age in Years: 48; Date of  Birth: July, 6, 1892; Place of Birth: Hartland Twp, Minnesota; Name and Address of Person Who Will Always Know Your Address: Palmer Hagen, Chicago, Ill.,; Employer’s Name and Address: Mrs. Olga Amundson, Hartland, Minnesota, rfd-2; Place of Employment: Hartland Twp, Hartland, Minnesota; Race: White; Height: 5 ft 5 in; Weight: 165; Eyes: Blue; Hair: Brown; Complexion: Ruddy”

According to the 1950 U.S. Census for Section 26, Highland Township, Palo Alto County, IA, the household members were:

“Clarence Hagen, head, age 52, married, born in Minnesota, Occupation: Hired Man – Farm; Olga Hagen, wife, age 56, married, born in Minnesota”

According to an unidentified newspaper clipping by Ancestry.com contributor “Julrene_olson”:

“Clarence Hagen
Ex-Residence
of City Died

   Relatives received word here Friday morning of the death of Clarence LeRoy Hagen, 61, a former Albert Lea resident.
   Mr. Hagen died at Round Lake, Ill., where he had made his home the past year.  He had been ill only a short time.
   Funeral services will be conducted Monday at Round Lake.
   Survivors here include a brother, Conrad Hagen, and his step-mother, Mrs. Nels Hagen, Mr. Hagen is also survived by two sons, Chester and Palmer of Round Lake.”

According to the Lake County Illinois Genealogical Society. “Strang Funeral Home – Grayslake, Illinois – 1908-1964”. Mundelein IL. 2015:

“Surname: HAGEN; Name: Clarence; Birth Date/Place: 06 Jul 1892, MN; Death Date/Place: 16 Apr 1954, Waukegan; Cause of Death: Cerebral Thrombosis; divorced; Occupation: Laborer; Minister – Funeral Home: Chapel; Burial Place – Next of Kin: Fort Hill, Nels HAGEN-Father”