The Clyde Hagans Family

Bottom row, left to right: Terri, David, Caren, Lori, Tammy, Jane, Ken and Todd Hagen; top row, left to right: Jeff Gierke, Rev. Gene Gierke, Linda Gierke, Julie Gierke, Raymond Hagen, Judy Hagen, Jim Hagen, Florence Hagen, Bruce Hagen, Melissa Hagen; in front: Jimmy Militzer, Kathy Militzer, Jennifer Militzer, Wm. Militzer.

I was born in Columbus, Ohio, just five blocks from the Ohio State University campus. In 1917 I graduated from the College of Education and taught in the Columbus Public Schools and the State School for the Blind.

Some time later I met Clyde Hagans, a former blind student, at a reception at the Blind School. I had studied piano for some years and Clyde had studied both violin and piano with several well-known Columbus teachers. He began his teaching career in Napoleon, Ohio, to be near his mother at Liberty Center, where he was born.

It was a real struggle for several years, but he worked hard and saved his earnings until he was able to go to New York where he studied with the famous violinist, Ovide Musin. In two summers he covered two years of concentrated studies. Returning to Napoleon, he soon had a large class of pupils and many playing engagements.

In 1921 Clyde and I were married and settled in Napoleon. Together we played for weddings, funerals, and social affairs in Napoleon and throughout the County. We sometimes played for commencements in the smaller schools in the county. At the Malinta-Grelton School we furnished the musical program for twenty-five years. Kreisler's melodies were great favorites. Frieda Rychener Neidig frequently joined us as a vocalist in our concert appearances. We played in several Toledo churches and halls in Sandusky and Cleveland. Clyde was genial, liked people, and had a host of friends. Dr. Lincoln Long of the First Presbyterian Church of Toledo told me some years after Clyde's death that he once preached a sermon about Clyde titled "Smiling Faces."

Many of Clyde's pupils won honors at state and regional music festivals. He was a good teacher, strict in striving for the best and patient and understanding with the struggling beginners.

Patricia Esther, our daughter, graduated from Napoleon High School, attended Oberlin Conservatory, received her Bachelor of Music at Cincinnati Conservatory, Master of Music in Manhattan School of Music, New York, and Master of Library Science at Western Reserve. She now lives in San Francisco, California.

We were members of the First Presbyterian Church of Napoleon, where Clyde's funeral was held in April, 1955. I now live in Venice, California, with a childhood friend Helen Williams after more than forty years in Napoleon, Ohio.

Submitted by Esther Hillery Hagans