Ephraim Earl Ogle

Notes:

Ephraim continued operating the grocery store started by his father and passed it on to his son, Charlie Ogle. Ephraim was a Justice of Peace for the district for many years and also the postmaster for Gatlinburg (Official Register, 1893).
----------
Reference
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1974, p 56.
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 33.
"Smoky Mountain Family Album," Gladys Trentham Russell, 1984, p 226, 298.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 147.
"Sevier County, Tennessee and Its Heritage", 1994, p 288.
"Mountain Ways", Gene Aiken, 1983, p 32, 33, 155.

Ephraim married Hanna Elizabeth Evans 27 Apr 1883, , Sevier County, Tennessee. Hanna (daughter of Richard McAgee Roger Evans and Elizabeth Lindsay) was born 15 Jan 1866, Tennessee; died 7 Aug 1888; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

1. Cora Lucretia Ogle was born 15 Oct 1884, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 22 Jul 1951; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee.
2. H. W. Ogle was born 7 Aug 1888, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 7 Aug 1888; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee.

Ephraim married Alice Cardwell 3 Jun 1892, Sevier County, Tennessee. Alice (daughter of Clisby A. Cardwell and Arena Cochran) was born 23 Aug 1873, Tennessee; died 29 Dec 1919; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

1. Charles Austin "Charlie" Ogle was born 7 Nov 1893, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 10 Dec 1945; was buried Smoky Mountain Memory Gardens Cemetery, Pigeon Forge, Sevier County, Tennessee.
2. Arena E. Ogle was born 8 Jan 1896, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 31 May 1897; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee.

Other Events:

• AFN: BQLK-8F

Notes:

From Sevier County, Tennessee Deed Book 'J', pages 150/51, "This Indenture made this the 14th of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty four between Harcolas T. Ogle of the State of Tennessee and County of Sevier of the one part and Noah Ogle of the State and County aforesaid of the other part...the said Harculas T. Ogle hath this day bequeath the deed of gift unto the said Noah Ogle...it being given under their condition that it is to be all the claim, interest or demand that he the said Noah Ogle is to have to the said Harculas T. Ogle estate at this or any future time, the said land lying on the waters of the West Fork of Pigeon River near and about where the said Noah Ogle now lives." This land was located along Dudley Creek and Low Gap branch, then westward to the first high top between Roaring Fork Creek and Dudley Creek and joined the lands of James Ogle and Isaac Ogle Sr. It contained one hundred acres.

Noah was a private in Company E, 2nd Tennessee Cavalry Volunteer with the Union army during the Civil War. He enlisted for three years at Sevierville, Tennessee 16 September 1862 and was discharged at Nashville, Tennessee, 5 July 1865. He served at Lexington, Kentucky, Decator, Alabama, and Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. His personal description at the time of enlistment was: age, 29 years, fair complexion, dark hair and yellow eyes (hazel?).

In the 1860 Federal Census for Sevier County, Tennessee, Noah and Sophia were living in the 6th district on Walden's Creek. An 1866 deed from Daniel Wesley Reagan to Noah Ogle records the transfer of 100 acres of land. This farm lay from Baskins Creek to Reagan Lane on both sides of the river, now the center of Gatlinburg. In 1870 Federal Census, Noah and Sophia Reagan Ogle are found in the 11th Civil District in Gatlinburg. He is listed as a grocery merchant. This store which he started is still being operated by his descendants.

Noah served the 11th Civil District for many years as a Justice of Peace. He added land to the cemetery located on the hill in town, again being called White Oak Flats Cemetery. He and his third wife deeded the land for the present site of White Oak Flats Baptist Church (now First Baptist Church of Gatlinburg) in 1897.

Noah left a will in which he mentions all of his daughters and children of his daughter, Martha. Only one of the sons was named. His will was dated 30 Jan 1897 and probated 19 Feb 1897 (Will Book I, p 524/5).
----------
References:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 16, 33, 168, 169-170.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 70, 112.
"Smoky Mountain Family Album," Gladys Trentham Russell, 1984, p 31.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 146, 147.
"Mountain Ways", Gene Aiken, 1983, p 113.

Noah married Sophia Reagan Abt 1854, , Sevier County, Tennessee. Sophia (daughter of Daniel Wesley Reagan and Nancy Ogle) was born 12 Dec 1838, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 5 Oct 1887, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: 2DDV-BF

Notes:

Twin of Julia Ann Reagan.
----------
Reference
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 16, 33, 169-170.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 146, 147.
"Mountain Ways", Gene Aiken, 1983, p 113.

Notes:

Harkless T. was born and lived all his life in Sevier County, mostly in Gatlinburg. He appears in the census records for the county from 1830 through 1880. His name is also recorded in the church minute books for the White Oak Flats Baptist Church. Death dates are given there for him and his second wife.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 94, 168.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 112.
"Sevier County, Tennessee and Its Heritage", 1994, p 286.

Harkless married Margaret "Peggy" Ownbey Abt 1828, Sevier County, Tennessee. Margaret (daughter of John Ownby, Jr. and Elizabeth Hill) was born 20 Mar 1810, Rutherford County, North Carolina; died 6 Feb 1849, Sevier County, Tennessee; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: 1TQQ-9L

Notes:

Margaret came to Sevier County with her family about 1816.

Appeared in the 1840 and 1840 Federal Census of Sevier County, Tennessee.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 168
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 105, 112.
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p 13.

Other Events:

• AFN: 2DDT-XD

Notes:

Daniel moved with his parents to White Oak Flats (Gatlinburg) when he was about four years old. He lived all of his life here or on various other tracts of land in the area.

Listed as Ragan in 1850 Sevier County, Tennessee census as farmer with $1000 property unable to read or write.

An industrious man, Daniel began acquiring land before he married. In theTennessee State Library and Archives there are records of eight entries in his name, dating from 1824 to 1872. The state archivist says this was all purchased land. He is listed in the 1837 tax lists of Sevier County, Tennessee.

An 1859 grant, previously surveyed land, was resurveyed and entered probably because of Gatlin's extensive claim in the area and the Courthouse fire. This 1859 grant was for 600 acres up both sides of the river from Baskins Creek to the Two Mile Branch. In May 1866, he added another 640 acres to this holding. There are also grants for 1,000, 600, and 4,000 acres on Roaring Fork granted in 1839, 1868 and 1872. Most of this land was divided among his children - no will has been found. Daniel moved around and lived on several of his farms - his wife said after his death that she wanted to spend the rest of her years in one spot, she was so tired of moving. She spent her remaining years with her stepdaughter and her husband, Mariah and Thomas H. McCarter.

Daniel was a blacksmith as well as a farmer. Tradition says he built the first wagon in the settlement, making the wheels of one piece of split white oak. His son, Charles C. Reagan, built the first wagon that crossed the Smokies. Although no record has been found to verify it, Daniel probably served as a Justice of Peace. He did keep the community post office. When the settlement officially became Gatlinburg and the post office was established, Daniel and Joel Conner received the contract to carry the mail from Sevierville to Casher's Valley, South Carolina. Daniel's sons, Richard R. and Ephraim Reagan, served as postmaster in the village.

Definitely a Union man but too old to go to service during the Civil War, Daniel served as "muster" officer and drilled the men of the village out in the "Flats". He also served the community as food distributor. Because of his activities and his three oldest sons being in the Union army, he often had to hide out in the mountains to escape the Confederates. The youngest son, Charles C., often told of his father taking him to the woods and showing him the meat and food supplies he had hidden. Daniel didn't think the Rebels would bother the women and children and if he did have to hide out, then Charles must see that food was brought in for the people as it was needed---a big responsibility for a seven year old boy.

A civic minded man, Daniel furnished the meeting house for the village--the five sided building used for the school, church and "voting place". According to one of the land grants, this was located at the "mouth of the lane", now Reagan Lane, near the old River Road. Although he furnished the meeting place for the Baptist Church for many years, Daniel was not found on the membership roll of the church and did not give the land for the present building site, as has been stated by many sources.

Daniel Wesley Reagan did give the land for the oldest part of the White Oak Flats Cemetery (Gatlinburg Cemetery) to the community. This was originally a family plot on the farm of his father, Richard Reagan. The first burial there was a child of Daniel Milsaps, the first school teacher in Gatlinburg.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 6a, 15-16.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 51.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 45.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 37.

Daniel married Nancy Ogle 30 Jan 1830, Sevier County, Tennessee. Nancy (daughter of Thomas J. Ogle and Sophia Bosley) was born 24 Aug 1810, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 18 Feb 1844, Sevier County, Tennessee; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: 2DDT-ZK

Notes:

Listed in the 1830 and 1840 Federal Census of Sevier County, Tennessee.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 6a, 16, 167.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 51.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 37.

Notes:

Thomas went with his parents to Ninety Six District, Edgefield County, South Carolina from Wilkes County, Georgia.

Tom was named with his brother, Hercules, as coexecutor of their father's will in 1803 in Edgefield District, South Carolina. He also signed the 1811 deed of conveyance which disposed of the land left by William Ogle to his "four boys". Another deed, dated in 1825 and disposing of land in Edgefield District, South Carolina, was signed by Thomas and Sophia Ogle. They had apparently rented out this land after moving to Sevier County, Tennessee.

No Tennessee land grants prior to 1824 were found for Tom Ogle but it is known that he was in Sevier County as early as 1805. He and Hercules Ogle deeded 48 acres of land at the mouth of Walden's Creek to William Murphy in 1807. According to the deed, found in the Tennessee State Library and Archives, they held title to the land "by virtue of seizure and occupancy". The exact date of Tom's settlement in Gatlinburg is not known but he was one of the first settlers there.

Records of Tom's service in the War of 1812 were found in the National Archives. He served in Captain Andrew Lawson's Company of East Tennessee Drafted Militia Regiment, commanded by Colonel William Johnson, and fought against the Creek Indians. In 1850 and 1855, Tom received bounty land grants as a result of his service.

In December of 1817 when the White Oak Flats Baptist Church was formed as an arm of the Sevierville church, Tom Ogle and his wife were listed as charter members. The first church building was started in 1855 on Tom's land. It was located where the Arrowcraft Shop stands now. A deed conveying title of the land to the church by Thomas Ogle was executed on 8 April 1861. This is found in Sevier County Courthouse in Deed Book M, page 211.

Thomas J. Ogle has three land entries, which are dated from 1 May 1824 through 23 Jan 1826, in the Surveyor's Book No. 1 of Sevier County, Tennessee. These land entries were granted by the state of Tennessee. All these were located in the White Oak Flats community and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Tom left a will dated 27 Sep 1861 and probated in County Court in February of 1862. It is recorded in Will Book I, p 74-75. William T. Ogle is mentioned as Tom's eldest son and is named executor of the will. Also Tom mentioned "my son Thomas Ogle... my Sons, to wit., Preston, Levi and Caleb..." In the Court records, Thomas Ogle's will was admitted for probate 3 Feb 1862. On 3 March 1862, Caleb Ogle and Wilson Duggan were appointed administrators of the estate of Thomas Ogle. (Court Minutes Book I, page 747 and 752)

There is a list of "Inventory of the property belonging to the estate of Thomas J. Ogle, Dec'd., late of Sevier County, Tennessee in the Inventory Book, page 190/92.

In the GUARDIANS, EXECUTORS and ADMINISTRATORS Settlement Book for Sevier County, Tennessee, there is a record for the estate of Thomas J. Ogle. From this book, the following list of the living heirs of Thomas J. Ogle is quoted: "the above Settlement shows that there is in the hands of the administrators the sum of $187.23 to be equally divided among twelve heirs, to wit., Levi, Hercules, Isaac, Rebecca wife of Preston, William T., Celeb, Thomas, Esther Trantham, Hichols Ownsby, Jacob Evans, Andrew Conner, and David Owensby & wife."

The family appears in the Federal Census records of Sevier County from 1830 through 1860. The census and other records found show that the second generation of Ogle sons in Gatlinburg began using their father's initial in their names when there was confusion created by the same names.
----------
Reference
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1974, p 47-48.
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 154-155, 211.

Thomas married Sophia Bosley Abt 1804. Sophia was born Abt 1789, Maryland; died 13 Jul 1857, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Sophia is spoken of as the "red-headed woman" in the family stories. It is said she hoped and prayed for a church and minister of their own in the community. Her hopes were realized when their son, William T. Ogle, became a minister of the Gospel, as did a younger son, Caleb Ogle.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1974, p 47-48.
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 154-155, 211.

Other Events:

• AFN: 1TQP-13

Notes:

John Ownby Jr. served in the War of 1812 with the North Carolina malitia. Records from the National Archives show John Ownby as a private in Captain Bradly's Company of North Carolina militia for six months but was not called out until February and continued in actual service for over fourteen days. He was discharged in Rutherford County, North Carolina on 6 March 1815. In 1858 John Ownby applied for a bounty land grant on the basis of his military service. He received a grant of 158 acres in Sevier County, Tennessee.

In 1816, just after the War of 1812 was over, John Ownby Jr. and his family moved from Rutherford County, North Carolina to Sevier County, Tennessee. This Ownby family was the only one listed in the 1830 Federal Census of East Tennessee.

On 4 February 1858, John Ownby Jr. made a will to dispose of his property. In his will, he said, "I give and bequeath to my son John H. Ownby all my property both real and personal consisting of one hundred and twenty five acres of Land, Cattle, Hogs, Horses, household furniture, etc. I have given and bequeath all my property to said son John in consequence of his kindness in taking care of myself and wife in our age and during our infirmity."
----------
Reference:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p 13.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 64, 105.
"Mountain Ways", Gene Aiken, 1983, p 203.

John married Elizabeth Hill 14 Mar 1803, Rutherford County, North Carolina. Elizabeth (daughter of John Hill) was born 6 Nov 1784, Buncombe County, North Carolina; died 24 Aug 1830, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: 1TQP-28

Notes:

Donald B. Reagan has birth date as 6 November 1786.
----------
Reference:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p
13.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 64, 105.
"Mountain Ways", Gene Aiken, 1983, p 203.

Notes:

Bride: Elizabeth Hill
Groom: John Ownby
Bond Date: 11 Mar 1805
County: Rutherford
Record #: 01 245
Bondsman: Arthur Ownby
Witness: R Lewis, Clerk of Court
Bond #: 000135548

North Carolina Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868

Other Events:

• AFN: BQLJ-VD

Notes:

The eldest son of Timothy and Elizabeth Reagan, Richard was born in Maryland or Virginia. He moved with his parents to Virginia, North Carolina, and then to Sevier County, Tennessee. Here he married circa 1796, Julia Ann Shults. Richard Reagan was one of the early settlers in the Emert's Cove, moving either with or very soon after Frederick Emert settled there circa 1800. They moved from there to White Oak Flats (now Gatlinburg) circa 1806.

It has been often stated that Richard's son, Daniel Wesley Reagan, was the first white child born in White Oak Flats but this seems to be an error. A granddaughter said that Daniel Wesley was about four years old when the family moved to the Mill Creek site in White Oak Flats. The land records indicate this to be correct. Daniel Wesley was born in 1802 in Emert's Cove area and this makes the date of the family settling in White Oaks about 1806.

Most of Richard's adult life was spent in Sevier County, Tennessee and since the early records of the county have been lost only a few official records for him have been found. There are four land grant records in the Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, Tennessee. The first of these four land grants, dated 1808 reads:

"...being in the county of Sevier and District South of French Broad and Holston on the East fork of Little Pigeon.... corner to Frederick Emmett....running with meanders of said river.... Then with the land of John Roberts on said river bank."

Richard paid 12 1/2 cents per acre for this land and although by the date of this grant it is known he had moved to the Mill Creek site in White Oaks, he retained this land and made the final payment in 1819.

The second grant in 1813 is for ten acres, part of an entry that had been assigned to Robert Wear. This was "in the county of Sevier in the White Oak Flats." This land ran up the river, crossed the same, and joined other lands of Richard Reagan, which indicates earlier land entries that have been lost.

The third land grant in 1813 was for fifty acres "...in the county aforesaid in the White Oak Flats on Stoney Creek..." From courses and directions in this grant, Stoney Creek must have been the name used for Mill Creek in the earlier days. It is now called LeConte Creek. The first is a very appropriate name.

The fourth land grant in 1828 reads: "...containing twenty-five acres, lying in the County aforesaid, on Mill Creek in the White Oak Flats." This land joined the land of Isaac Ogle, and Daniel W. Reagan as well as Richard's own lands.

In 1837 Daniel Wesley Reagan, Richard's son, had a grant surveyed for the purpose of joining the lands surveyed in Richard Reagan's name. It is apparent from this record that several of Richard's early records are missing. This grant for 100 acres included a narrow strip of land on both sides of the river from Mill Creek to Baskins Creek. (The grant is in a very legible handwriting and it is spelled BASKINS) At a line running along the upper side of the cemetery from Baskins Creek to "the lane" (Reagan Drive now) his land joined Thomas J. Ogle. From the lane to a point near Mill Creek, he joined lands of William and Isaac Ogle. Their land included what was once called the Airport Field.

Here on this farm in the heart of Gatlinburg, Richard's grandson, John H. Reagan, of Texas fame, was born in 1818. In the letter to his children written in 1865 while he was imprisoned after the Civil War, he said that his grandfather, Richard Reagan was of "....medium stature and good appearance, a very religious man, and member of the Methodist Episcopal church from his youth until his death...." He also said that Richard "owned the neighborhood mill and blacksmith shop; was justice of the peace for his precinct...." Richard was the class leader of the Methodist Society which met in his home before there was a meeting house built. He also kept the post office for the community. His grandson might have been writing his epithet when he said of Richard, "He was an upright good man....a contented and happy man, whose faith was in God and whose hope was in Heaven.."

Family records say that Richard died of a fractured skull in 1829. A family story handed down through the generations tells that "Richard Reagan died when as he was taking his horses from pasture to the barn, a limb flew off a beech tree and struck him in the head." Another family story tells the same thing at the same time - "A few days before the accident, a bird flew into the porch where he was sitting, smoking his pipe, and lit on his head. He sprang from his chair, declaring it was his 'death sign' and was greatly disturbed. Whether or not it was a warning, he thought it was. The accident happened and he died a few days after that."

Most sources say that Richard and Julia Ann Reagan had three sons and four daughters - it is possible there were others. One is thought to have been a son, Aaron Reagan, and a daughter named Barbara who died as a young girl. The other two daughters are unknown.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 2a, 5-6.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 6, 51.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 31-44.

Richard married Julia Ann Shults 1796, Sevier County, Tennessee. Julia (daughter of Johan Martin "Martin" Shults and Juliana Stentz) was born 1775, Tryon County, North Carolina; died 23 Apr 1845, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee; was buried White Oak Flats Cemetery, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: BQLJ-WK

Notes:

Julia Ann Shultz came with her mother, Juliana Shultz, and her brothers and sisters to Sevier County, Tennessee circa 1794/1795 from Sullivan County, Tennessee.

It is said that Julia Ann used a German Bible and hymn book and spoke German as easily as she did English.

Julia Ann was living with her son, Daniel Wesley, at the time of her death. It was thought that she had recovered from a spring cold but when she didn't arise as usual on the morning of April 23, 1845, the family found that she had passed away in her sleep.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 2a, 6.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 2", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 6, 51.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 407.