Ingham County Biographical Sketches



Alexander D. Hagadorn, M. D.


Dr. Hagadorn, who enjoys a lucrative practice among some of the best people of Lansing, was born in Oakland county, Michigan, on the 28th day of February, 1843. His father, William, was a native of Steuben county, N. Y., the date of his birth being March 4, 1809. In 1833, (he was then a vigorous young farmer of twenty-four) he mounted his horse and started from his New York home for some friends who had settled at Northville, Oakland county, Michigan. He completed the long, tedious trip on horseback, remained there with his friends for a short time and returned to the East. But, like thousands of others, when he had once breathed the large freedom of the West, he was irresistibly attracted to the country; so, during the following year, he again started for Oakland county, and finally took up one hundred acres of Government land at South Lyons. He cleared and improved the tract, continuing to engage in farming there until his death, June 13, 1879.

Of the five children in the family, the oldest was Wesley, who was born April 7, 1838, and died June 9, 1888. A sketch of Johnson W. Hagadorn, the second child, appears elsewhere in this volume. Mary, the third was born July 18, 1841, and, as the wife of Lucien Lovewell, a stockbuyer, is living at South Lyons. Dr. Hagadorn was the fourth, and Albert, the fifth child, who was born July 31, 1845, is a farmer in Lansing township.

The mother of our subject, Nancy, was born in Cayuga county, N. Y., November 9, 1814, and died in South Lyons, Michigan, November 15, 1883. The grandmother of our subject was a cousin of P. T. Barnum, the showman.

As the name implies, the Hagadorns were of German extraction, the founders of the New York branch of the family being three brothers, who emigrated from the Fatherland in 1700, and settled in the Empire state. John Hagadorn, a son of this trio, was born in 1785, came to Michigan with his son, the father of our subject, and died in 1851.

Dr. Hagadorn acquired his early education at the district schools of Oakland county, taking a higher course at the State Normal School, Ypsilanti. He entered in the institutijon in 1861, remaining three years. For two years he was principal of the schools in Armada, Macomb county, and also held the same position in the schools of Algonac, St. Clair county, Michigan.

Having by this means obtained sufficient means to insure a medical education, he entered Michigan University, and in 1871 graduaged with his degree, M. D. He began the practice of his profession at Milford, Oakland county, whre he remained busily and profitably engaged fo ten years. In 1881 he removed to Lansing and his practice and his reputation have steadily increased.

Dr. Hagadorn is a Republican, and his popularity and his skill as a physician are evidenced by the fact that he has already served as Health Officer for two years. He is prominent in the Masonic fraternity, being a Royal Arch, Blue Lodge No. 33 and Lansing Commandery No. 25. He is also a leader in the Methodist church, being a trustee in the local organization.

On May 20, 1874, Dr. Hagadorn was united in marriage to Theodosia Rowe of Oakland county, the daughter of Squire and Dolly Rowe. The mother, at the age of eighty-seven, is making her home with the doctor and his wife. The latter is a native of Highland, Oakland county, where she was born in 1849.

To Doctor and Mrs. Hagadorn have been born three children: Grace R., who was born October 31, 1875, is the wife of Harry Reed, teacher of chemistry in the State of Agriculture College. She is a graduate of Lansing high school, also of Albion College. The second child, Herbert A. Hagadorn, was born June 17, 1877, graduated from the Agricultural College, and is an electrical engineer at the works of the General Electric Company, Schenectady, N. Y. Dana, born May 10, 1889, is a student at the Lansing high school.




Taken from:
"Past and Present of the City of Lansing and Ingham County, Michigan", by Albert E. Cowles.
Published by The Michigan Historical Publishing Association Lansing, MICH., 1905.
Pages 232 - 233




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