THOMAS HANNAGAN, an intelligent and popular citizen of Riley County, resides with his family in their beautiful home on section 8, Ogden Township. Their present prosperity is an admirable illustration of what "brain and brawn" can accomplish when united, as they have been in this household. No ether capital was possessed by the subject of this notice than what was in his clear head and strong hands, yet bv diligent labor and wise economy he has accumulated a sufficient share of this world's goods to place him in comfortable circumstances during the remainder of his life.

County Cork, Ireland, was the early tramping-ground of Joseph Hannagan, the father of our subject, and there he learned the trade of a blacksmith. Early in the twenties he emigrated to America and secured work on the first railroad ever built in the United States. Finding himself in a position to support a family he took a wife and trusted to have a long life of marital felicity, but the angel of death entered his happy home and took hence the wife and three children that had come to them in the meanwhile. This was a sad blow, but time healed his trouble and he again mated himself to a lady, and once more launched his bark on the sea of matrimony. The second marriage took place in Maryland about the year 1833, the lady's name being Miss Leonora Berry, a native of County Cork, Ireland. They were an enterprising couple and instead of settling down on the place as was the usual custom they followed the railroads which were being constructed. Mr. Haunagan being employed by them at his trade of blacksmithing.

For about twelve years they pursued this course: then Mr. Hannagan opened a shop for himself in Berkshire County. Mass., and remained there till 1847, then removed to McHenry County, Ill. While a resident of the latter place he died from the effects of a blow received from a fence stake in the hands of a neighbor. After that sad event, his widow made her home with her married children, living the principal part of the time with the subject of this sketch. She was a lovely old lady and lived a life of usefulness and Christian charity. Her death, which occurred in 1882, left a vacant chair in the household of Thomas Hannagan that, although it can never again be filled with the form of the dear old grandma, may yet serve as a reminder of the words of wise counsel that were wont to fall from the lips of one now in the paradise of the blessed.

The parental family embraced fourteen children, four of whom are now living. Our subject was the second child and was born Feb. 22. 1836. in Pawtucket, R. I. His youth was spent in Berkshire County. Mass., where he received a common school education. He was a bright pupil and made the most of his opportunities, hence succeeded in acquiring a first-class elementary education by the time it was necessary to go out in the world and begin the battle of life for himself. When seventeen years of age he was apprenticed to a blacksmith in Chicago, Ill., to learn the trade. He continued at that for the entire seven years that were required in those days to entitle one to be considered perfect in all branches of the trade. When his term of apprenticeship had expired he journeyed to Ogle County, Ill., where he remained seven years. Not being entirely satisfied, he took up his belongings and started westward reaching Kansas, in June, 1868. After looking over the country a little he located in the place where he now resides. In the fall of that year he went to Junction City where he worked at his trade till the following July. He has followed his trade at Ft. Riley for eleven years working for the United States Quartermaster.

July 4th, 1861, was a memorable date in the life of Mr. Hannagan, as he then passed from a bachelor to a benedict. The lady who henceforth was to journey through life with him, was Miss Isabella Johnston, a daughter of Thomas and Mary (Stewart) Johnston, residents of Waukesha County, Wis., where, at their death, their remains were interred to await the resurrection morn. They were Scotch people and were the parents of eight children of whom Mrs. Hannagan was the second in order of birth. She was born in Dumfries, Scotland, Nov. 15, 1839. Although, a sufferer for many years from that distressing and troublesome disease, asthma, Mrs. Hannngan retains the sweet and sunny disposition of her youthful days and is a blessing to her family and the neighborhood, to whom she is endeared by her many acts of kindness and charity. Mr. and Mrs. Hannagan are the parents of nine children, two girls and seven boys. Four of the children have taken up their abode in the land of perpetual summer, and the others continue to reside on this mundane sphere, cheerfully and faithfully performing the duties of life. They are: Ella Leonora, wife of Edward Ryan, of Lincoln County, Kan., and mother of three boys: George J., Thomas D., James M. and William II, are all at home. Mr. Hannagan and his family are devoted members of the Catholic Church of Ogden, and he is a member of the Board of Trustees, a position which he has filled for the last seven years. He has been Road Overseer two terms and Clerk of the School District of Ogden for some time. While the family were residents of Ogle County, Ill., Mr. Hannagan was a member of the Lodge of Good Templars, an organization which has not yet been founded in Ogden.

The home farm of our subject comprises 200 acres of good land, all under cultivation and otherwise improved. He also owns 280 acres in Geary County (formerly Davis County). There are three houses on the home farm, in one of which, a pretty dwelling situated one and one-half mile east of Ogden, the family is living in the enjoyment of all the comforts and conveniences of modern life. A view of this typical country home appears elsewhere in this volume. They have a fine orchard of sixty trees and all kinds of small fruit; also about eighty head of cattle; nine of horses, and sixteen hogs. The family is deeply interested in educational matters and is always ready to promote the instruction of the youth of the community in every legitimate way. Mr. Hannngan is conservative in politics and votes the Democratic ticket.