HENRY HAGEDORN
HENRY HAGEDORN, of Prospect, Oneida county, was born November 15, 1838, in Hamilton county, N. Y. His home was in Morehouseville, where he spent most of his life up to 1878. The district school at
Morehouseville supplied the foundation for his education, and a subsequent course at the Prospect Academy completed his school life. At the age of twenty-two he decided to learn the carpenter's
trade, for at that time the building and progress of the northern part of New York was active. Mr. Hagedorn became one of the leading contractors and builders in that section, a business which proved
both profitable to himself and satisfactory to those with whom he did business.
In 1863 Mr. Hagedorn regarded New York city as a more advantageous point in which to carry on his line of work, so he removed to that city and entered into build- ing and pattern making on a large scale. This continued profitably for three years, when he sold out and returned to Morehouseville. He then remained in the latter place till 1879, when a change in business affairs took him to Prospect, where he has since resided. At that time he bought the Watkins grist mill property and at once assumed active control of the plant. Although a new experience Mr. Hagedorn readily adapted himself to the new conditions and requirements which resulted in his building up one of the best mill properties in the northern part of Oneida county. The mill in 1886 was destroyed by fire, but Mr. Hagedorn at once replaced it with a complete Munson Bros.' milling outfit, so that it is now one of the leading mills of the county. Besides this Mr. Hagedorn owns the Bagg Hotel at Prospect, which is well suited for a haven for those seeking a summer outing.
Mr. Hagedorn is a Democrat, and has been an earnest, consistent supporter of the party's principles. For several years he represented his town in the Board of Super- visors, and for many years was a prominent member of the County Committee, be sides the many delegations of which he formed an important part. Mr. Hagedorn has, however, retired practically from political work, choosing lather to devote his whole energies to his growing, prosperous business. He does step aside, though, in the interests of the Red Men, for to that organization he is a devoted member, always zealous in aiding its advancement.
Mr. Hagedorn's father was also Henry Hagedorn, who came from Germany and settled in Morehouseville in 1837, being one of the early farmers there. He died in 1868. His wife was Margaret A. Mesloh, a native of the kingdom of Hanover, Germany. She died in 1890. Henry Hagedorn, subject of this sketch, was one of three children born to them, Andrew and Helen being the others. Andrew died at Morehouseville in 1891. Helen married Thomas Williams, of Grey, N. Y.
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