Biography

04/28/1934 -

Henry G. “Merc” Hager, III (R23) Bradford (Part) Clinton (Part) Lycoming, Sullivan and Tioga Counties, 1973-1982 (R23) Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga and Union (Part) Counties 1983-1984

Early Life: 

Henry G. Hager, III,  born, April 28, 1934, Williamsport, Lycoming County, Pennsylvania; son of Doctor Henry G. and Eleanor Watt Hager; Wesleyan University, BA, 1956; University of Pennsylvania Law School, 1959; married, Sallie Ann Parrish, 1958 (d. 2017) daughters, Hannah Hager Davis, Eleanor Hager Temelini; special deputy, attorney general, 1962-1963; Lycoming County District Attorney, 1964-1968; elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1972- resigned 1984, Minority Leader, 1977-1980, president pro tem, 1981-1984; unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate, 1978; president, Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania, 1984. 

Early Career:

Chaired, Pennsylvania Cancer Society; master, John F. Laedlein Mason Lodge, Number707; member, Williamsport Consistory; senior warden, Trinity Episcopal Church. President, Insurance Federation of Pennsylvania. 

Pennsylvania Politics:

Special deputy, attorney general, 1962-1963. 

Lycoming County District Attorney, 1964-1968. 

Elected, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 23rd district, Bradford (Part) Clinton (Part) Lycoming, Sullivan and Tioga Counties, 1973-1982, Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 23rd district, Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan, Tioga and Union (Part) Counties, 1983-1984, Minority Leader, Republican Caucus, 1977, succeeded, deceased Richard Frame (R-Venango), president pro tem, 1981-1984, member ex-officio all standing committees; resigned, November 30, 1984.

Notable accomplishments included passage of the Agricultural Area Security Law, June 30, 1981; addition of the first Senate computer system, installation and employment of a bipartisan management committee’s service; establishment, Independent Regulatory Review Commission. 

Unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate, 1978, Pennsylvania’s first open primary.   

Legacy: 

Nicknamed “Merc,” derived from the chemical symbol indicated by his initials, HGH (mercury). 

Named in his honor is, The Hager Lifelong Education Center, Pennsylvania College of Technology.  

Currently resides in Florida.

Cited: 

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members H". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

The Pennsylvania Manual, (1982-1983). Ackley, G. (Editor). Avery, K. (Assistant Editor). (Volume 106) Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Biographical Sketches of Senators, page 66.