From E. B. Hagans, "Hagans" 1769 to 1887, p. 6:

Moved to Mount Ayre, Iowa, where he died. We are not able to learn if he was ever married.

Material from Isabel Defenbaugh, a Hagans Family researcher:

1831 - 1832: The Black Hawk War

The following information is found according to a list of Illinois Volunteers - Black Hawk Campaign of 1832:

COMPANY OF CAPTAIN JESSE CLAYWELL

Muster Roll of Captain Jesse Claywell's Company, in 4th Regiment, 3rd Brigade Illinois Mounted Volunters called into the service of the United States on the requisition of General Henry Atkinson by Governor's proclamation, dated the 15th May, 1832.

On this list are the following members of the Hagans family:

1. William B. Hagan 2nd Corpl. Sangamon County

2. James C. Hagan 3rd Corpl. Sangamon County

3. Samuel C. Hagan Private Sangamon County

Capt Jesse Claywell's Company was organized 5th June

- took up line of March on the 10th day of the same month for the place of Rendevouz

- arrived there on the 14th of the Same

- was mustered onto the Service of the United States 20 June 1832

- the company drew at the time they were mustered out of Service 6 days traveling rations

- the officers whilest in Service drew on days rations as each soldier did.

Columns 4, 5, and 6 show that the Company was enrolled June 5, 1832, and for 90 days received no pay.

"I certify, on honor, that I have carefully examined this muster roll, and that on this 16th day of August of 1832, mustered out of service of the United States, the above mentioned Company of the 4th Reg't 3rd. Brigade by Order of Brigr. Genl. Atkinson. (signed Robt. Anderson Lt. & Asst. Inr. Genl.)"

1833 in Sangamon Co., Illinois: I have come across the marriage of a Harriet W. Taylor to a James C. Hagans on 23 Dec 1833, in Sangamon Co., Ill. J. C. Hagans 2nd child, S. J. G. Hagans claims to have been born in Menard Co., which was part of Sangamon Co. before it was established in 1839. Harriet must have been the first spouse. J. C. Hagans' first child was born in 1836.

1840 Census - James C. can be found in Ogle County, Illinois. He is listed as follows: 2 free white males under 5 (Jasper and Sylvester), one free white male between 30 and 40 (himself), one free white female under 5 (Clarinda) and one free white female (his wife Harriet). Also listed in the household are 4 free white males between 20 and 30 years of age.

A fellow researcher (Alex Case) suggests the following: "In 1836 James C. returned to Ogle county as an early settler in this frontier area settling in the Pine Creek TWP of Ogle county. This being a rather rough area, it may have been that he took along some army buddies in self defense."

Maps of the southern part of Ogle County show James C. Hagans' claim location just north of the town of Grand DeTour in Section 35 of Pine Creek TWP and a map of the Pine Creek TWP with the names of the settlers shows James C. in NE 1/4 Section 35.

A biographical sketch found in the Ogle County History (full of mistakes but it establishes his whereabouts during this time):

James Hagan came from the southern part of the State in 1836 and located on section 36. He was one of the first Justices of the Peace in the county. Many years ago he moved to Missouri but returned to Illinois and died in the south part of the State.

1847 in Greene Co., Missouri: Second spouse's name was Tabitha Bandfield with the marriage on Jan 12, 1847 in Greene County, Missouri. A newspaper obituary says that she met James in Green Co., MO. What was he doing in Missouri, is this where his first wife died? Maybe by giving birth to son Bird, who unlike all the other children, was born in MO in 1844?

1850 Census - James C. Hagans can be found in McDonough Co., Illinois. He lives with wife Tabitha and children Jasper, Clarinda, Charles, Bird, James G., and Elisabeth. His personal value is listed as $600 and is occupation is farmer. Also listed is a George Vanfield (21), b: KY, farmer. I am assuming he is a brother to Tabitha (26) also b: KY. The name is probably misspelled and should read Bandfield.

Same year, same county are listed Samuel G. HAGAN (21), b: Ill with wife Nancy (18), b: VA and James C. Hagans(46), b: KY with wife Elisabeth(42), b: KY and children Serina(15), Manirva(10), Clarrissa(8), Robert B.(3), Y. T.(2). Also listed are Lucinda Wright(24), b: KY, Jane S. Wright(3) and Barbara Bell(80), b: PA.

The relationship between the families has not yet been established.

From a section on Page 418 in the Biographical and Historical History of Ringgold and Union Counties, published by Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, 1887, 737 pp:

Ringgold's First County Judge

One of the most prominent men in the early history of the county was Judge Hagans, who wielded great influence from the time of his first election as county judge until his death. He came to the county from McDonough County, Illinois, in June, 1854, and was a native of Kentucky. He served the people three terms in the office of county judge, and was elected State Senator at the general election of 1857, from the district composed of the counties of Ringgold, Taylor, Adams, Union and Clarke. He served with ability in the Eighth and Ninth General Assemblies. He discharged his last senatorial and official duties at the extra session of September, 1862. Soon after this time his health began to fail. He died September 7, 1863, at his home in Mt. Ayr.

How worried and sad James must have been at the time of his death with three of his sons, Jasper, Charles and Bird, far away fighting in the war. Son Jasper had already received a shell wound between his hip and knee during fighting in ... . But he was allowed to go home on furlough for re-enlisting during July and August of 1863. How lucky the both of them were to be able to enjoy each others company before the untimely death of Jasper's beloved father. Son Bird was not so fortunate. He was working as a nurse and later ward master in the hospital due to the fact that in the late part of February 1863, he became sick with pneumonia and in June '63 also contracted diarrhea. He never quite recovered from both which left him weak and with a hacking cough for most of his life. According to records, son Charles seemed to be as well as can be expected during such trying times. It is a blessing that his father never found out that Charles was wounded at Claysville, Alabama, and afterwards captured by the Rebels

James C. is listed in this County history several more times as Judge and Senator:

... Ringgold County was formally organized on May 14, 1855. William N. McEfee was appointed organizing sheriff, and given instructions as to the proper mode of procedure. He was required to take an oath before assuming the duties of his office. Other jobs and duties were being distributed and James C. Hagans was one of the 34 citizens who voted at this organic election.

The result of the election was: James C. Hagans, County Judge; Matthew B. Brown, District Clerk; Joseph W. Cofer, Treasurer and Recorder; Hirom Imus, Sheriff; Charles H. Schooler, School Fund Commissioner. At the first regular election, in August following, ninety-one votes were polled. Judge Hagans and Mr. Cofer were re-elected.

... The first formal meeting of the county officers was held at the house of Ephraim Cofer, about six miles south of Mt. Ayr, July 2, 1855. One of the persons present was James C. Hagans in his function as County Judge. ...

... On December 24, 1855 the second marriage license was issued to Josiah Turner and Eliza Ann Scott. The ceremony itself was performed by Judge Hagans on the same day.

James C. Hagans served as County Judge from 1855 to 1859 and as Senator from 1860 to 1863.

1856 State Census Schedule - Lotts Creek TWP, Ringgold Co., Iowa, page 87: James C. Hagans, 47 M, KY, Farmer; Tabitha Hagans, 30 F, Tenn.; Jasper Hagans, 20 M, Ill., Farmer; S. J. G. Hagans, 18 M, Ill.; Clarinda Hagans, 16 F, Ill.; Charles Hagans, 14 M, Ill.; Bird Hagans, 12 M, Mo; Elisabeth Hagans, 8 F, Ill.; William C. Hagans, 6 M, Ill.; and George K. Hagans, 3 M, Ill. Also listed in the same dwelling is George K. Francis, 44 M, Ohio, Farmer (?).

1860 Federal Census - Mount Ayr TWP, Ringgold Co., Iowa: J. C. Hagans, 51, State Senator, with Tabitha, 35 and children: Charles, 19; Bird, 17; Elisabeth, 12; William, 9; and George K., 7.

Also listed are: Maig Miller, 16 F, House maid?; William Francis, 45 M, Carpenter ?; E. Keith, 29 M, Physician; G. Huggins, 25 M, Studying Merchant; William Elliot, 27 M, Lawyer.

According to this Census, James' Value of Real Estate is given as $14600 and his Value of Personal Estate is $2820. His profession is listed as State Senator. The WPA cemetery list also includes the fact that he his a Veteran of the Indian Wars?

By the time the Federal census for Iowa for 1860 was taken, three of James' children - Jasper, S. J. G., and Clarinda - had already moved out and gotten married.

1863 in Ringgold Co., Iowa: James C. Hagans dies in his home on September 7, 1863.