California Biographies, Santa Cruz County.
PIERCE B. FAGEN, M. D. 

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

Source:
History of Santa Cruz County, California 
Pacific Press Publishing Company
San Francisco, Cal. 1892
By E. S. Harrison 

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm
 

PIERCE B. FAGEN, M. D. 

The marvelous changes wrought during the latter half of the nineteenth century were witnessed by Dr. Fagen and in a 
number of them he bore an interested part. Fate had reserved for him an active participation in pioneer tasks and for such 
arduous labors had qualified him by bestowing upon him an infinite degree of patience, an intense love of his country, a 
constitution adapted to the endurance of hardships and a sagacity of judgment as keen as it was of formulative im- 
portance in frontier history. The profession which he chose for his life-work was one for which he was adapted by natural 
endowment and acquired education. The science of materia medica had in him a thoughtful student. To study and to 
conquer disease seemed to him a task unsurpassed in magnitude by any other object appealing to the higher ambitions of 
mankind. Hence we find him concentrating his intelligent, earnest attention upon therapeutics, with such gratifying re- 
sults that he gained a reputation for skill in diagnosis and promptness in applying the correct remedial agencies. 

The life which is herein depicted began at New Lisbon, Columbiana county, Ohio, November 22, 1818, and closed at 
Santa Cruz, Cal., in February, 1901, thus spanning a considerable portion of the nineteenth century, but brought to a 
close at the beginning of the twentieth century. The family represented by Dr. Fagen was one of colonial importance and 
considerable means, hence it was possible for him to secure desired educational advantages. The best institutions of 
the east qualified him for the responsibilities of life and his degree of M. D. was tendered to him by the medical depart- 
ment of Kemper College, St. Louis, Mo. To him belonged the honor of being the first physician at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, 
and he had the further honor of assisting in laying out and platting the city of Des Moines. On tlie west side of that city 
he bought eighty acres and laid the land out in lots. With the early history of the capital city of Iowa his name was indis- 
solubly associated and his talents were utilized in pioneer work of importance to future local development. 

Not until the discovery of gold in California was the attention of Dr. Fagen called closely to the resources of the vast 
west. A study of the country Jed him to desire participation in its activities, and we find him the leader of a caravan of 
Argonauts that crossed the plains with horses and wagons in 1850. For a time he engaged in mining at Nevada City and 
later in Placer county where he became prominent among the pioneers, being a leader in all movements for the benefit of 
the people and the development of local resources, and in both places he also practiced medicine. It was about 1869 that 
he came to Santa Cruz and in a short time he had acquired high professional standing, building up a practice that was limited 
only by his time and strength. In spite of professional demands he did not forget the duties devolving upon him as a citizen, 
but bore a part in local enterprises, served as trustee of the public schools, filled the office of county coroner, became a 
large real-estate owner, and served as president and vice-president of both banks, besides being a member of their 
boards of directors. Fraternally he was connected with the Masons and Odd Fellows. 

Shortly before he came to California Dr. Fagen had married in 1849 Miss Melissa Hoxie, who died in Placer county, 
Cal., leaving two sons, Clarence E. and Herbert D., now residents of Santa Cruz county. The second marriage of Dr. 
Fagen was solemnized February 27, 1873, and united him with the widow of Albion P. Jordan. This estimable lady sur- 
vives him, making her home at No. 172 Mission street, Santa Cruz, where she owns one of the most elegant residences 
in the city. For years she has been a leading worker in the Congregational church and one of the principal members of its 
Ladies' Aid Society. The missionary and philanthropic enterprises of the church receive her earnest co-operation and 
many a large gift, the fruit of her generous helpfulness, has proved a blessing to the cause for which it was donated. She 
has also been a large contributor of both time and means to all the charities and civic improvements of her city.