JAMES HAGAN – Was the son of Bernard Joseph Hagan, an Irish free settler who arrived in Australia, from Armagh, in 1852. James was born at Winton Station Goondiwindi, 12th June 1869. His father was a Boot-maker and Shepherd. Following his father’s death on 20th May 1879, at Winton Station, his mother and her seven children moved to Hume Street, Toowoomba to live with her father, Thomas Kirkpatrick. On the 1st August 1886 James entered an Apprenticeship of Carpentry and Joinery, with Thomas Burstow for a period of 4 years.  After completing his apprenticeship in 1890, he commenced his own business at 92 Hill Street, Newtown.

James married Martha Rogers in 1896 and they had a family of 5 children, 3 boys and 2 girls. Stanley and Bernard followed their father’s trade. Stanley as a builder and Bernard as a cabinetmaker.

Bernard served an apprenticeship with the same company as his father, of T.S.Burstow. After completing his apprenticeship and working for this company until 1928, Bernard commenced his own business at 251 Herries Street Newtown, until his retirement in the 1970s.

Neil, son of Bernard, after serving his apprenticeship with his father, started his own business of Cabinetmaking and Frenchpolishing in 1949. In 1976 Neil, built a larger workshop at 1BMort Street. He trained many apprentices and ran a successful business until his retirement in 1990.

David, Neil’s son also served his apprenticeship with his father, in 1973 and on completion, as a fourth generation wood-worker, worked in the family business until 1990, when he then started his own business. Calling it David Hagan Furniture until his retirement in 2012.

Mitchell, David’s only son intended joining his Father in managing the business but this was not to be as Mitchell passed away in January 2002 at the age of 19 years.

Ryan, (whose mother was a Hagan and is the great, great grandson of James) served his apprenticeship with David and worked for David till David’s retirement. Ryan (5th generation wood-worker) now runs his own business in Brook Street, called Ryan’s Hagan Furniture, therefore continuing the Hagan tradition.

THE LATE JAMES HAGAN WOULD BE VERY PROUD OF HIS LEGACY AND DEVELOPMENT OF NEWTOWN  AND  NEWTOWN PARK TODAY.

Extracts from Hagan Family History