Alvah Charles Hagen Sr. ²

   Cause of his death was Toxemia (2 wks)/ Urinary Tract Infection (2yrs) / Severe Parkinson's Disease.

  General Notes:

According to family stories, Alvah, Alta, and Paul were living with his parents and siblings in Mechanicisburg, Pa. when first married. They then went to Detroit around 1917, the time period when his father moved to Richmond, Virginia. While there is no documented evidence at this time of a move to Detroit, the fact is that Alvah, Alta, Paul, and Alvah Jr. are living in Richmond, Va. by 1920, and are renting a place at 3220 Main Street and according to Alvah's WWI Draft Registration, the family is living in Richmond, Va on June 5, 1917 at 11 1/2 West Clay Street. Then too, the 1920 census records Alvah Jr. as born in Virginia in May 1916. Regardless, they moved to Winston-Salem, NC around 1924 where Alvah ran a very successful accounting/printing machines business. The 1930 Federal Census records Alvah, Alta, Paul, and Margarett living in Middle Fork Township, Forsyth Co., N.C. According to census records of April 1930 the family was renting at the City View Development on N.C. Route 60 with high school teacher George V. Martin a border.

After losing everything in the "Crash of 29" and remaining for a while in Winston-Salem, by 1934 the family moved back to Richmond, VA. They lived in a little house in Bensley Village near Alvah's parents and his Uncle Charle's family. Alta did not want to come back to Richmond but did so because of job opportunities in Richmond where Alvah took a job as a multigraph operator at State Planters Bank. This is where youngest daughter, Betty, was born.

Alta died in 1943 in the hospital from a brain anuryism suffered at her kitchen table. Alvah then married divorcee Rebecca (Beckie) Heath who, according to family stories, thought Alvah had insurance money from Alta's death. Beckie doesn't like nor want Alvah's children, Evelyn & Betty, to live with them (Peggy is married to Wilton Mann who was in WWII). According to Evelyn Hagen Mabie, Beckie brings two nephews, Tom and Harry Jr., who are in their late teens, to live with them. Tom gets a job and leaves. Harry remains and is a problem. He drinks, does not work, and appears to have an "eye" for Evelyn. One evening while walking home together, Harry makes advances to Evelyn. After Evelyn lets her daddy know the facts, Alvah "throws the bum out". Beckie continues to be demanding, disrespectful, and mean to Betty and Evelyn and the feeling is mutual. Alvah & Beckie divorce after perhaps a few years together. There was no money from insurance and the family situation was extremely strained (ca 1946). Beckie disappeared and took the car and many household items. As told by Evelyn, she watched Beckie pack, including many of her mother's things. Not wanting to lose the precious remembrances, Evelyn retrieved them from the suitcase. After Beckky left, Alvah was devastated and felt he could not properly look after his young girls ... his children were boarded, first with the neighboring King family (Lottie and son Macy) of Bensley Village. The neighboring Swineford family, John (son of Howard and Grace, brother of Mary, wife of Nat Mason, lifelong friends and dentist to Garland D. and Inez D. Hagen families) and his wife, Annie Napier Swineford, intervened and got Alvah to allow the girls to live with Annie Swineford's mother (Willie and Annie Napier) at the corner of 11th and Hull Streets in Richmond (Chesterfield Co.).

Alvah tried to recover from the emotional scars of the last few years but felt he could not properly look after his daughters while working full time. He tried to live with his son (Paul and Inez) ... but after a few weeks, it does not work out ... according to family stories Alvah has "problems". After a few months Alvah gets back on his feet, gets an apartment in the Church Hill section of Richmond, and takes his daughters back. Evelyn goes to John Marshall High School but meets neighbor CP Mabie and marries in 1950. At some point, as of yet unknown, Alvah sets up housekeeping with Edna Lee Gant (& her mother). Paul and his sons made many visits to Alvah's home in Highland Springs although Inez never went with them. Edna never made an appearance, but was always in the background during those visits.

In 1966, while Alvah was ill, his sister Mary Hagen Blair, in Evelyn's words, convinced her brother to make a will to leave all his possessions to Edna. This caused a great deal of conflict and hurt to his children. According to grandson, Derald Hagen, Alvah's funeral was the most difficult he ever attended due to the hurt, "left out" feelings of Alvah's children. According to Evelyn, this was but one of many mean and spiteful things done by Mary ever since her brother hurriedly married Alta.

Contacting local Clerks of Courts this researcher began a search for a marriage license for Alvah and Alta but no record was found in Philadelphia, Carlisle, Cumberland Co., Pa. nor Hagerstown, Washington Co., Maryland. After many years of searching, then, April 22, 2013 ... using the on line database for The Washington County Free Library ... this reseacher finally uncovered the marriage license. A request was made with the Hagerstown Clerk of Courts and even though they had been previously unable to find the license, they not knew where to look ... see marrgae notes.

The Richmond City (Va.) Directory of 1946 lists "Alvah (Rebecca) Hagen" while the 1947 directory lists Mrs. Rebecca Hagen, separate from Alvah, living at 2919 Northumberland Road. Extensive research found the marriage certificate for Alvah C. Hagan [Hagen] and Rebecca L. Heath. They were married February 17, 1945. The certificate records Rebecca's parents as James R. Heath and Orpha Sneed of Halifax Co., Va.

The WWI Draft Registration Card for Alvah Charles Hagen dated June 5, 1917 lists his date of birth as June 16, 1895 in Philadelphia, PA. He is living with his wife and two children at 11 1/2 West Clay Street in Richmond, VA and is working as a Machinist at The Richmond Forging Company. His physical description is medium height and build with light brown eyes and dark brown hair.

The 1920 Federal Census for Richmond City, Va. ED#83, page 114A taken Jan.7, 1920 records Alvah C. (25-PA) and Alta (25-PA) Hagen with children Paul D. Hagen (4 7/12-PA) his brother Alvah C., Jr. (2 7/12-VA) renting at 3220 West Main Street. Alvah is listed as employed as a dye sinker at a foundry.

The 1930 Federal Census for Middle Fork Township, Forsyth Co., N.C. page 262B records Alvah C. (34) and Alta G. (34) Hagen with children Paul D. Hagen (14) and his sister Margarett J. (7) living on N.C. Highway #60, City View Development. Alvah is listed as employed as a multigraph operator in a printing office. Alvah, Jr. had died in June 1923 in Richmond, Va.

Hill's 1938, 1939, & 1943 Richmond Virginia City Directory
Alvah C (Alta G) Multigraph opr State Planters Bank & Trust Co.
Hill's 1946 Richmond Virginia City Directory
Alvah C. Hagen (Rebecca) multigraph opr State Planters Bk & Tr r RD7
Hill's 1948 Richmond Virginia City Directory
Alvah C Hagen Multigraph opr Universal Life Ins r RD7
Alvah C Hagen purch agt State Planters r 902 Floyd av

The 1940 United States Census for Virginia, Chesterfield Co., Bermuda Magisterial District, 21-1 Bermuda Magisterial District, N of Proctors Creek, Bensley (part) Image 39 of 49, dated April 24, 1940 records Alvah and Alta Hagen living on Park Dale Road near the intersection with Sherborne Road. The next page of the census record has Alvah's family including his parents, Edwin and Mary, his brother Lindsey, his brother and his wife, Edwin and Dorothy, and his sister and her son, Helen Walthall and Robert Walthall all living on Sherborne Road. The next page over records Alnona Daughtrey and her daughters, Garland and Le Clare.
House #337 on Park Dale Road (page 17B) owned by Alvah and valued at $1,200: Alvah C. (44 - PA) and his wife Alta G (44 - PA) Hagen with children Margaret J. (17 - VA), Evelyn M. (8 - NC), and Elizabeth P. (4 - VA). Alvah is a Printer for a Bank & Trust earning $1,680 a year and worked for 52 weeks in the last year. Alvah & Alta have 1 year of high school while Margarett has 2 years of high school, Evelyn is in 2nd grade, and Elizabeth (Betty) is not in school.
House #351 on Sherborne Road (page 18A) rented by Edwin III at $20/month: Edwin W. III (37 - PA) and Dorothy M. (30 - VA) Hagen. Edwin is a Poultry Man in Broiler Raising earning $28 a year and worked for 48 weeks. Dorothy is an Operator at a Cigarette Factory and earns $1,323 a year and worked for 49 weeks in the last year. Edwin III and his wife Dorothy have gone through 7 years of grade school.
House #352 on Sherborne Road (page 18A) rented by Helen at $5/month: Helen E. Wathall (sic) (34 - PA) and her son Robert Wathall (14 - VA). Helen is a Stenographer for a Retail Grocery Store earning $700 a year and worked for 52 weeks in the last year. Helen has completed 2 years of high school.
House #353 on Sherborne Road (page 18A) owned by Edwin W. Jr. and valued at $9,000, marked through and $4,250 over written: Edwin W. Jr. (67 - PA) and Mary E. (67 - PA) Hagen and their son Lindsey P. Hagen (32 - VA). Edwin Jr. is a Poultry Man in Broiler Raising earning $0 a year and worked for 52 weeks in the last year while Lindsey is a Pay Master at a Cigar Factory earning $1,200 a year and worked for 52 weeks in the last year. Edwin has 4 years of high school, Mary and Lindsey have gone through 7 years of grade school. Edwin III and his wife Dorothy have gone through 7 years of grade school while Helen has completed 2 years of high school.
House #363 on Butler Road [now Westwood] (page 18B) owned by Alnona and valued at $5,000: the widow Alnona Daughtrey (65 - VA) with her single daughters Garland (sic) (32 - VA) and La Clare (sic) (30 - VA). Garland is a Secretary at the State Highway Department earning $1,134 and worked for 50 weeks in the last year while Le Claire is a Public School Teacher earning $1,050 and worked for 40 weeks in the last year. Alnona has 3 years of college while Garland has 2 years of college and LeClaire has 4 years of college.


The WWII Draft Registration Card (for men born on or after April 28, 1877 and on or before February 16, 1897) for Alvah Charles Hagen dated April 27, 1942 lists his date of birth as June 16, 1895 in Philadelphia, PA. He is living with his wife, Alta, at Stop 20, Petersburg Pike, Chesterfield Co., VA. He is working for State Planters Bank and Trust and his physical description is 5' 7", 178 lbs with hazel eyes, gray hair and dark complexion.

The SSDI records:
Name: Alvah Hagen
SSN: 231-12-0979
Last Residence: 23075 Highland Springs, Henrico, Virginia
Born: 16 June 1895
Died: Feb 1968
State (Year) SSN issued: Virginia (Before 1951)

  Medical Notes:

Virginia, Death Records, 1912-2014
Name: Alvah Charles Hagen (widowed)
Residence: 403 N. Ivey Avenue, Highland Springs, VA
Occupation: Printer, State Planters Bank
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age at Death: 72
Birth Date: 16 Jun 1895
Death Date: 10 Feb 1968
Death Place: Johnston Willis Hospital, Richmond (Ind. City), Virginia
Registration Date: 12 Feb 1968
Father: Edwin Walker Hagen Jr
Mother: Mary Elizabeth Rennals
Spouse: Alta Kyle Hagen
Certificate Number: 1968005212
Informant: Mrs. Betty H. Ramsey [daughter]

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: Machinist with The Richmond Forging Co. (1918) / Multigraph Operator:State Planters Bank in Richmond, Va.

Alvah married Alta Grace Keil, daughter of David A. Keil and Missouri Cramer/Creamer, on 24 Oct 1914 in Hagerstown, Maryland. (Alta Grace Keil was born on 12 Aug 1895 in Mechanicsburg, Cumberland Co., PA, died on 23 Feb 1943 in Chesterfield Co., VA and was buried on 25 Feb 1943 in Sunset Memorial Park, Chester, VA E185.) The cause of her death was Subarachnoid hemorrhage of the brain - lingered 3 days.

  Marriage Notes:

According to daughter Evelyn Hagen Mabie, Alvah and Alta were married in Hagerstown, Maryland. However, this researcher has requested marriage records from Hagerstown (Washington Co.) as well as Cumberland Co. and also Philadelphia and as of March 2011 no marriage record has been found.
... and then, April 22, 2013 ... the on line database for The Washington County Free Library
http://www.washcolibrary.org/localhistory/genealogy.asp records the 1914 marriage of Alvah Hagen to Alta Kile on Page 19666. The actual certificate indicates Alvah Chas Hagen, age 21, of Mechanicsburg, PA and Alta Grace Kyle, age 19, of Mechanicsburg, PA, were married October 24, 1914 by Eugeino Kincaid Thomas, Minister of the Gospel in Hagerstown, Maryland. The application, license, and ceremony were all done on the same day.

Alvah next married Rebecca Leigh (Beckie) Heath, daughter of James Robert Heath and Orpha Snead, on 17 Feb 1945 in 2nd Presbyterian Church, Richmond, Va. (Rebecca Leigh (Beckie) Heath was born circa 1910 in Halifax Co, VA. and died after 1948 in Richmond , VA.)

  Marriage Notes:

In notes from Marlena Mooring passed to Mary Lou Hagen Taylor in 1991: Alvah & Becky were married at the 2nd Presbyterian Church at 6th Street in Richmond, VA


Virginia, Marriage Records, 1936-2014
Name: Rebecca L Heath (divorced)
Residence: 115 E. 12th Street, Richmond, VA
Gender: Female
Race: White
Age: 35
Birth Date: abt 1910
Marriage Date: 17 Feb 1945
Marriage Place: Richmond, Virginia, USA
Registration Place: Richmond, Virginia, USA
Father: James R Heath
Mother: Orpha Sneed
Spouse: Alvah C Hagan (widowed)
Residence: Rte 7, Richmond, VA
Occupation: Multilithe Operator
Spouse Gender: Male
Spouse Race: White
Spouse Age: 49
Spouse Father: E W Hagan
Spouse Mother: Mary Reynolds

Virginia, Divorce Records, 1918-2014
Plaintiff: Alvah C Hagen - Plaintiff
Gender: Male
Race: White
Divorce Age: 52
Birth Date: abt 1896
Marriage Date: 17 Feb 1945
Separated: March 1946
Divorce Date: 19 Apr 1948
Divorce Place: Richmond, Virginia
Cause of Divorce: Desertion and Abandonment
Spouse: Rebecca Heath Hagen
Spouse Gender: Female
Spouse Race: White
Spouse Divorce Age: 38 born in Halifax Co., VA
Certificate Number: 1948001956
Number of Children: 0

Alvah next married Edna Lee Gant, daughter of Namon Butler Gant and Estelle A. Smith, circa 1950 in Richmond , VA. (Edna Lee Gant was born on 12 Mar 1905 in North Carolina, died on 27 Jan 1997 in Richmond, Va. and was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Richmond, VA Row 12, Grave#27.)