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Obituary from Sioux Rapids newspaper:
Funeral services were held last Friday afternoon at two o'clock in the Methodist church in Sioux Rapids for John Fagen, well known resident of Clay and Buena Vista counties, who died suddenly Tuesday evening of last week at his home in Sioux Rapids. Rev. W. L. Breaw, pastor of the church, officiated at the rites, and burial was made in the Lone Tree Cemetery.
John Fagen, oldest son of Anton and Catherine Fagen, was born in Lake county, Indiana, September 17, 1854. He entered the schools of Lake county and at the age of fifteen went to Chicago where he found employment and where he resided at the time of the great Chicago fire. He became a fireman on the Chicago, Burlington, Quincy railroad and continued with them until he was twenty-one years of age.
He then removed to Talleyrand, Keokuk county, Iowa, where he became a watch maker. In 1888 he sold his business and purchased a farm in Washington county where he resided until he came to Northwest Iowa and purchased a farm in Clay county. He made his home in Clay county from 1905 until 1913 when he retired and had since made his home in Sioux Rapids, with the exception of two winters spent in Florida.
After his retirement, Mr. Fagen could not content himself in idleness so found the John Brummer office in Sioux Rapids a congenial and welcome place for the expression of his genius. Here he gave much valuable advice and assistance in the business. Some part of nearly every day since his retirement was spent in this place of business and by constant association greatly endeared himself to the Brummer family.
He was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ellen Holmes September 8, 1879, at Talleyrand, Iowa, where they established their first home and where their first four children were born. To the union of Mr. And Mrs. Fagen six sons and four daughters were born. Two sons died in early childhood and one son, Anton L., died in 1910. Last September 8 Mr. And Mrs. Fagen celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary, and on the following November 30, Mrs. Fagen preceded her life-long companion in death.
In earlier years while living in Washington county, Mr. Fagen was active in public life and held many places of trust and responsibility. He was a good citizen, highly honored and respected by all who knew him. He was a kind and thoughtful neighbor, a loving and devoted husband and father, a true and trusted friend, one who believed and supported the church and every good cause. He was a faithful and devoted worshipper in the services of his church. The fact that he was in his usual place in the service Sunday morning and about the places of business on Tuesday made his sudden passing on Tuesday evening a greater shock to the community.
He leaves to mourn his departure three sons and four daughters, Mrs. Ressa Cady of Des Moines, Walter L. Fagen of Keota, Frank L. Fagen of Maynard, Minnesota, K. Lila Dubois of Sioux Rapids, Mable L. Chalstrom of Gaze, Howard L. Fagen of Linn Grove and Blanche L. Buckingham of Humboldt, Iowa. He is also survived by two brothers, P. G. and N. B. Fagen of Crown Point, Indiana, twenty-two grandchildren and four great grandchildren and a host of neighbors and friends.
Note: According to Jim Hilbrich, John was born 10 Sep 1854.
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