RICHARD HAGEL, a progressive merchant of and the efficient postmaster of Gypsum, Ottawa county, is a native of Ohio, born in Ottawa county, Mar. 2, 1862.
     He is a son of Louis and Wilhelmina (Hartenfelt) Hagel, both of whom were natives of Germany, and are now residents of Plasterbed.  The father was born in Baden, Germany, October 17, 1828, and is a son of Andrew and Elizabeth Hagel, who spent their entire lives in the Fatherland.  He was there educated and learned the trade of a stonemason.  Crossing the broad Atlantic to America in 1852, he resided for two years in Newark, N. J., and in 1854 came to Portage township, Ottawa Co., Ohio, where he engaged in farming and quarrying.  In 1856 he removed to Carroll township, same county, where he purchased land, and for two years carried on agricultural pursuits.  In 1858 he sold his farm and removed to Plasterbed, which has been his place of continuous residence since.  His wife was born in Saxony, Germany, Nov. 9, 1832, and was a daughter of Frederick and Hannah Hartenfelt.  With her parents she emigrated to America in 1852, and they lived in Erie township, Ottawa Co., Ohio, until called to their final rest.
     Mr. and Mrs. Hagel were married June 15, 1856, in the town which is still their home, and their union was blessed with ten children, six of whom are living: John, born Mar. 26, 1857, and residing at Plasterbed; Emma, born Dec. 27, 1858; Richard; Sarah, born Jan. 18, 1872, now the wife of George Austin, of Plasterbed; William, born Feb. 11, 1864, now residing in the same place; and Annie, born Apr. 27, 1878.
     Our subject acquired a fair English education in the district schools of Portage township, Ottawa county, and when his school life was ended entered upon his business c career as a clerk in the store of Charles C. Peet, of Gypsum.  He has since been connected with mercantile interests.  For nine years he was employed in that capacity, during which time he became familiar with merchandising in every detail, and the experience thus acquired well fitted him for his own career along this line.  In 1884, after the death of his employers, he purchased of the administrators the store, and has since been sole proprietor.  He has a well-appointed establishment, carries a large stock of goods, and is doing a flourishing business.
     Mr. Hagel was married in Gypsum, Nov. 23, 1892, to Miss Hannah E. Hess, a daughter of Christian and Paulina (Warner) Hess, both of whom were natives of Germany, residing in Gypsum.  Mrs. Hagel was born at Plasterbed, Feb. 20, 1869, and is an estimable lady, having many friends.  Socially, our subject is connected with Port Clinton Lodge, No. 36, K. of P., and O. H. Perry Lodge, No. 27, I. O. O. F.  In politics he is a stalwart Republican, and has ably served as postmaster at Gypsum since 1884.  He attends the Methodist Church, and is interested in everything pertaining to the welfare and upbuilding of the community.  He has served as treasurer of the Island & Gypsum Fruit Co.  Mr. Hagel, is one of the progressive young business men of the county, and by thrift and energy has raised himself to an important position in the community; by fair dealing and perseverance has built up a large and rapidly-increasing mercantile business which ranks him among the solid commercial men of his locality.  In 1891, finding his quarters too small, he erected the spacious store which he now occupies.
(Source: Commemorative Biographical Record of the counties of Sandusky & Ottawa, Ohio - Publ. Chicago - J. H. Beers & Co., 1896 - Page 462)

Sustained and soothed
By an unfaltering trust, approach the grave
Like one who wraps the drapery of the couch
About him and lies down to peaceful dreams.

     The obsequies, conducted by Rev. George Peeke, pastor of the Congregational Church, were observed at the family residence on East Washington street, Sandusky, Ohio, Tuesday, December 24, at two o'clock in the afternoon.  Mrs. Mary Robinson assisted by Messrs. McFall and Talcott of the Aeolian Quartette, rendered with much feeling the beautiful hymn.  "Weary of Earth and Laden With my Sin."  Rev. Peeks selected for the subject of his sermon the following appropriate text, taken from St. Paul's Second Epistle to Timothy, second chapter and twelfth verse: "If we suffer, we shall reign with Him."  After an eloquent and pathetic address on the sufferings of mankind and the reward thereof, he referred to the departed in the following touching manner:
     "The scope of these remarks applies to our  departed friend, Fletcher Hartshorn.  God called him toward suffering in order to prepare him for divine nobility.  During seventeen years he has been a sufferer, and during the past nine years a sufferer confined to his home, shut in from the busy activities he so much loved.  The keenness of his suffering can be somewhat estimated by considering the exceptional vital force with which he was endowed.  He was a man with immense vital powers, which, had he carefully considered, might have given him an active life until four-score years, but his ambition to achieve business success, coupled with a desire to see all his affairs progress rapidly and hormoniously, made him unsparing in his application to every detail of business.  Early in his business life he paid the price of his devotion by a paralytic shock.  The last nine years were years of patient waiting and uncomplaining suffering.  It was a signal and unusual providence that called so strong a man to so many years of trial apart from that business life with which his sympathies were entwined.  None but the unseen witnesses of God's moral kingdom can know what a soul so placed could suffer.  A disciplining providence placed him in the hottest fires, but it melted his dross and refined his gold.  The result of this trial was an unwavering faith, a beautiful confidence in God.  His frequent expression was 'It is all right, all right.'  During all his years of trial this was his unswerving attitude.  To sit nine years wasting away and waiting for the end and to feel 'It is all right' is the very sublimity of confidence and trust.  His kindness was as marked as his confidence.  The tendency of suffering is to make one sensitive, acerb and impatient.  None of these in our friend.  His soul was serene and sweet.  Conspicuous above all shone and was resigned.  His royalty was apparent day by day.  His patience was truely sublime.  No saint ever suffered martydom with more apparent submission and fortitude than he.  During my six years acquaintance with him, he has been to me a constant wonder.  To the end he resigned in true nobility.  Al that suffering can do for a soul seemed to have been produced in Fletcher Hartshorn, and we devoutly recognize the fact that he won the crown of spiritual martyrdom.  Such suffering as his could only lead to humble trust in Christ.  His confessions of confidence and hope were clear and explicit.  Patiently he waited for the hour of deliverance, and after the fierce conflict of years he rests;

Asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep.
From which none ever wake to weep."

     The services were concluded with the singing of that beautiful hymn "Lead kindly light amid th' encircling glom."  The burial was in Oakland Cemetery.  The spires of the "Silent City" were casting lengthening shadows across our pathway when we left him to his long coveted rest. - [The foregoing is from the pens of his loving and devoted wife and her mother, Mrs. H. H. Elwell.]
     In connection with the above sketch so ably written, there is little to add, though it might truthfully be said of the deceased that he was a man of fine education, broad and general reading, and of a genial, sunny temperament, and every citizen in Ottawa county was his warm friend.  In his domestic life he was a devoted husband and father, attentive to his home duties through all his undertakings; economical, yet given to acts of kindness and deeds of charity where deserved.  Always busy himself, he had no sympathy for the shiftless and idle; but to the unfortunate he was a kind and helpful friend, whose sympathy was shown in acts rather than words, and in all plans for the advancement of his community, his active co-operation could be relied upon.
     No biography of Mr. Hartshorn would be complete which failed to make mention of his most estimable wife and widow.  Side by side for twenty years they journeyed along life's pathway together, mutually encouraging and helping - he a kind husband and indulgent father - she a faithful wife and loving mother.  During his long and tedious illness, she was not only his constant attendant and faithful nurse, but also looked after his business matters, in connection with his quarry interests, and in these matters not only proved her love and devotion, but also her excellent executive ability as a thorough business woman.