Thomas Hagerty was born around 1821 in Ireland. He immigrated to America sometime before 1850 and settled in Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania. By 1860, he was working as a carpenter, and he owned $500 of real estate and $50 of personal property. He married Catherine McIntire, and they had at least seven children: Sarah, born around 1863; Mary, born on May 5, 1864; Margaret, born around 1867; Hugh, born around 1868; Susan, born on June 14, 1870; Thomas, born around 1871; and Joseph, born on April 14, 1878. By 1870, he was working as a railroad carpenter, and his wealth had grown to $1,000 of real estate and $100 of personal property. He died sometime after 1880.