A Republican, he entered politics while still in his twenties becoming a county freeholder though he was not re-elected.

At age 32, he was the youngest mayor elected in Jersey City until that time and only the fifth Republican.

In 1917, he stepped down as mayor, retired from politics and continued his career as an undertaker.

It would be 75 years before another Republican, Bret Schundler, would be elected mayor of Jersey City.

[2] Fagan died on July 16, 1955, and was buried in Holy Name Cemetery in Jersey City.