John N. Hagan | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 8th and 12thNorth Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture and Labor | |
| In office January 6, 1937 – January 5, 1939 | |
| Preceded by | Theodore Martell |
| Succeeded by | Math Dahl |
| In office January 3, 1917 – November 23, 1921 | |
| Preceded by | Robert F. Flint |
| Succeeded by | Joseph A. Kitchen |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1873-08-04)August 4, 1873 Arcola, Indiana, U.S. |
| Died | June 4, 1952(1952-06-04) (aged 78) Bismarck, North Dakota, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican (NPL faction) |
| Spouse | Rhea Smith |
John N. Hagan (August 4, 1873 – June 4, 1952) was aNorth DakotaRepublican/NPL politician who served as theNorth Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture and Labor from 1917 to 1921 and from 1937 to 1938. He is one of three politicians in the state ever to be recalled; he was recalled during his first time in the office along with fellow NPL politiciansGovernor of North DakotaLynn J. Frazier andNorth Dakota Attorney GeneralWilliam Lemke in 1921.[1]
John N. Hagan was born on August 4, 1873, nearArcola, Indiana, to parents William and Wilhelmina (Rapp) Hagan. In 1900, he graduated fromValparaiso University. In the fall of 1900, Hagan moved toNorth Dakota, accepting a job school administration job atSt. John. He served in this role until 1903 when he moved to a homestead aroundDeering, North Dakota. In 1904, he married Rhea Smith. Hagan farmed for several years before getting involved in politics.[2][3][4]
In 1916, Hagan joined theNonpartisan League (NPL), becoming one of its earliest members.[3][4] Also in 1916, Hagan received the endorsement of the NPL for North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture and Labor. Hagan won the election, and he would be reelected again in 1918 and 1920.[5][6][7]
As Commissioner of Agriculture and Labor, and under the state leadership of the NPL, Hagan served on many boards and commissions, including theIndustrial Commission and the Board of Administration.[8]
In 1921, a special recall election, initiated by opponents of the NPL (theIndependent Voters Association or IVA) successfully removed Hagan from office. He was replaced byJoseph A. Kitchen. The other two members of the Industrial Commission,GovernorLynn Frazier andAttorney GeneralWilliam Lemke, were also removed from office.[3][9][10][11]
Because of infighting, controversies, and the recall election, the NPL and its influence over North Dakota government was weakened. However, the programs of the NPL and some of its prominent leaders remained popular, and the NPL saw a resurgence in the 1930s.[12][13] Hagan served as Deputy Administrator of the Prohibition Board until 1933.[3] In 1936, Hagan was again endorsed by the NPL and elected Commissioner of Agriculture and Labor, serving one term from 1937 to 1938.[3][14]
In 1938, Hagan received the Republican nomination for governor, but he was defeated byJohn Moses, theDemocratic contender.[3][15] In 1942, Hagan received the Democratic nomination forCommissioner of Insurance, but he was defeated by Republican incumbentOscar E. Erickson.[16]
After this, Hagan retired from politics and returned to farming. He died on June 4, 1952.[4][3]
| Party political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Republican nominee forGovernor of North Dakota 1938 | Succeeded by Jack A. Patterson |
| Preceded by | Democratic nominee forNorth Dakota Insurance Commissioner 1942 | Succeeded by Ed P. Cosgriff |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture and Labor 1917–1921 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture and Labor 1937–1938 | Succeeded by |
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
