The agricultural interests of Coshocton county find a worth representative in Joseph M. Hagans, who owns and operates sixty-eight acres of well improved land, located in New Castle township. Mr. Hagans was born in the village of New Castle, December 16, 1861, a son of John and Elizabeth (Gowder) Hagans. The father was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1824, and was reared and married in his native state. The year 1859 witnessed his arrival in Coshocton county, at which time he located in the village of New Castle. He later purchased land in New Castle township and was actively engaged in farming throughout his remaining days. In 1866 he joined the Christian Union church and remained an active member of the same until the church was abandoned, after which he became identified with the Methodist Protestant church, of which he was devoted and helpful member until his death, which occurred April 22, 1898, when he was seventy-three years of age. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Gowder, was likewise a native of the Keystone state and was there united in marriage to Mr. Hagans, November 22, 1840. She came with her husband to the Buckeye state and was numbered among the pioneer women of this section. She, too, has passed away, her death occurring June 6, 1908, and her remains were interred by the side of her husband in the New Castle cemetery. Their family numbered eight children, as follows: Samuel, a motorman of Newark, Ohio; John F., a railroad man of Nellie, this state; Benjamin a farmer of New Castle; Ellen, the wife of Albert Huston, a resident farmer of Newark; Isaac S., also farming near New Castle; Joseph M., of this review; George W., who follows farming near New Castle; and Lillie, the wife of French Donaker, a farmer of Perry township. There are also thirty-two grandchildren and four great-grandchildren in the family.

Joseph M. Hagans, whose name introduced this review, acquired his education in the common schools of New Castle, and remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty-two years, when he began mining coal, being thus engaged for sixteen years. He then purchased his present farm, comprising sixty-eight acres of land in New Castle township, and here he has made his come to the present time. He has built a good house and barn and has otherwise improved the place and everything is kept in a neat and thrifty condition, indicating the progressive methods of the owner. He is engaged in carrying on general agricultural pursuits, and in addition to this, in connection with his brother, he operated a threshing machine, clover huller and corn shredder during their respective seasons and is employed in the way in various sections of the county.

Mr. Hagans was married December 7, 1883, to Miss Margaret Allen, who was born in New Castle township, a daughter of Elias Allen, who resides in this township. The union of Mr. And Mrs. Hagans has been blessed with eleven children, as follows: Sophia Ellen is the wife of Robert Renfrew, a resident of New Castle township, and has three children living, Helen, Hazel and Pearl; and Joseph Lee, who was born May 6, 1901, and died May 11, 1091. Eugene is at home. Daisy May has departed this life. Hattie Elizabeth is the wife of Robert L. Kent, a resident of New Castle township, and they have one child, Allison J.; and Joseph Earl, Benjamin, Leonard, Dora Oda, Dennis Royal and Gilbert Edward are still under the parental roof. Robert Lee died February 10, 1903.

Mr. Hagans gives his political support to the democratic party and attends and supports theMethodist Episcopal church. His success is well merited, for he has ever followed the most honorable methods in carrying on his business, is true to the terms of a contract and conscientiously discharges every business obligation to the satisfaction of all with whom he has dealings.