Newspaper a Louisville, Illinois
October 20, 1938
Ben HAGLE, a
son of John W. and Mahala BOSWELL - HAGLE was born in Jefferson County,
Illinois, June 27, 1851 and departed this life at his home in Louisville,
Illinois, October 19, 1938 at the age of 87 years, 3 months and 22 days.
Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Elinor HAGLE and five children of his first
Marriage: Ralph and Claude HAGLE and Mrs. Madge BRISSENDEN all of California
and Mrs. Gertrude BROWN and Mrs. Lura LACKEY, of Louisville. The mother of
these children, Amanda CRITCHLOW - HAGLE and two sons Guy and John and one
daughter, Lola, preceded him in death.
In 1889 he was united in Marriage
with Eliza Brissenden, who died three years later, leaving one daughter,
Anna who was married to Guy BUILTA. Mrs. BUILTA died 12 years ago, leaving
one son, Robert BUILTA, who made his home until quite recently with his
grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. HAGLE. Surviving are one son Fred BUILTA, one
daughter Elinor Lou BUILTA, living in North Dakota with there father, 15
grand children and 18 great, great grandchildren. All of his brothers and
sisters have pre-deceased him, except one sister and one brother. In
September, 1903, Mr. HAGLE was married to Miss Elinor S. McKellop, of
Syracuse, NY and the last 35 years have been spent in congenial
companionship, each doing what they could to comfort the other in their
declining years, and their home was noted for their hospitality and was
always open to their family, neighbors and friends. Judge HAGLE has always
taken an active interest in the welfare and up-building of his community and
county and has been prominently identified with its growth. He came to
Louisville from Jefferson County at the age of twenty, which gives him a
citizenship of 67 years, probably longer that any other who is living here
at the present time.
He received his early education in the rural
schools of Jefferson county, later attending Ewing College. After serving a
few months as deputy clerk for Samuel L. Rea, who was clerk of Clay County
in 1873, he resigned and went to Iowa City Law School. Two years later he
was admitted to practice in the State courts of Illinois and soon after his
practice was extended to the United State courts. After being admitted to
the bar, he formed a law partnership with H. H. Chesley, and began his
practice in Clay county, and since that time until his retirement a few
years ago, had been constantly engaged in public service, holding political
offices or serving as a deputy and otherwise assisting with the clerical
work about various offices in the court house. For years his services were
indispensable in making up tax books. His memory and ability, even after 80
years of age were marvelous. In 1833 he was elected police magistrate and
later he was a justice of the peace, serving almost continuously throughout
the years and has performed more marriage ceremonies probably than any other
officer of the county. In 1884 he was elected County Judge for his first
term and was again elected in 1918. During the governorship of John R.
Tanner, Judge HAGLE was a United States Marshall. In 1874 he became a member
of the Masonic Lodge and a Royal Arch Mason in 1878. He has served in every
official office in the Masonic Lodge. He was a member of the Advisory
Committee of the Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M of the State of Illinois for
fourteen years, and served as Grand Steward in the Grand Lodge for the last
ten years, which office he held at the time of his death. At a special
meeting of the A.F. & A.M., in Louisville on June 10, 1933, Judge HAGLE,
along with C.R. Lewis and G.K. Johnson was honored and the State Grand
Master, G. Haven Stephens, presented them with gold emblems in a very
impressive ceremony, in token of their fifty years of service as Masons.
While not identifying himself with any particular church, the old records of
the M.E. church show that he was enrolled in the Sunday School in 1872 and
his name was often mentioned in connection with the various activities of
the church where he later attended with his family. So, in the words of the
prophet we might say, "He hath showed thee, O man, what is good; and what
doth the Lord require of thee but to justify, and to love mercy and walk
humbly with thy God?" Card of Thanks We wish to express our appreciation and
thanks for the many acts of kindness shown us during our bereavement. Elinor
S. HAGLE and Family.
Contributed 3 Jul 2001 by Merrily King
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