Richard Robinson Ragan: Smoky Mountain Ancestral Quest

Generation: 1

Richard Robinson Ragan was born 3 Sep 1828, Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 8 Apr 1916, Palmyra, MaCoupin, Illinois; was buried Palmyra, MaCoupin, Illinois.

Notes:

Migrated with his parents to Missouri, then to Illinois. He was teacher,
farmer, and hardware store owner.

Buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery.

From "The Weekly Transcript" April 13, 1918

Palmyra, Macoupin Co. Ill.

Obituary

R. R. Ragan, an old and Honored Citizen, dies.

Richard R. Ragan, son of Joshua and Jane Ragan, was born Septeber the 3rd.
1828 in Sevier Co. Tenn, and departed this life in Palmyra, Ill. April the 8,
1916, age 87 years, 7 months and five days.

He, with his parents, moved to Missouri in 1831. Five years later they moved
to Illinois, settling in St. Clair Co., later in the same year they came to
Macoupin Co., first residing eight miles north of Carlinville and finally
coming to Palmyra.

Mr. Reagan made a profession of religion and accepted his Master as guide at
the age of 14, and united with the Methodist Episcopal church, remaining a very
faithful member the remaining seventy three years of his life. When Mr. Ragan
became of age he entered the profession of teaching school and followed this
vocation for seven years until 1856, at which time he turned his attention to
farming. He kept at this latter occupation until 1871, when after several
winters of teaching, he removed to Palmyra, Ill in the year 1876. Since that
time until a few years ago, Mr. Ragan was a hardware merchant in our vicinity.
He joined the free and accepted order of Masons, and was also a member of the
Grand Army Post number 278, having served in the Union Army during the days of
the Rebellion (Civil War). He was justice of the Peace for fifteen years.

R. R. Reagan was united in marriage to Sarah E. Patterson in 1853, and after
only five years of fellowship together she received the call triumphant in the
year 1857. One son was born to this union, John C. Ragan, now of St. Louis,
Mo. Mr. Ragan was again united in marriage in 1858 to Mrs. Margaret Simpson
Patterson. For 36 years they walked down life's road together in sympathy and
toil, and then God beckoned and she responded. To this union was born one child
Mrs. Rosa Belle Angelo. He was again united in Marriage in the year 1895 to
Mary E. Story, and for the remaining twenty some years of his life she has ever
been his faithful helpmate; with love and tenderness she has stood by his side
in all the trying moments of age and sickness, and today at this sad moment,
she is the chiefest among them who mourn his departure.

The mourners of the late Richard R. Ragan are his widow, Mrs. Mary Ragan; one
son, John C.; one daughter, Rose Angelo; five grandsons, Will, Ray and Albert
Ragan and Percy Angelo of Palmyra; and Reuben of Jacksonville; four grand
daughters, Mrs. Maurice Richie, Miss Una Angelo of Palmyra, and Mrs. Margaret
Fitzgerarld of Jacksonville; five great grand daughters, Irene, Hilda, Mildred
and Olive Ragan, and Margaret Dorks; two great grand sons Donald Ragan, and
Loren Richie, and besides these one brother, several more distant relatives and
a multitude of friends.

Palmyra, Ill. 4/29/1906

I, Richard R. Reagan, was born Sept. 3rd. 1828, in Sevier County East Tenn. My
Father's name was Joshua, Grand Father's name was Timothy and Grand Mother
Reagan's maiden name was Elizabeth Trigg. My Mother's name was Jane Huskey and
Grand Mother Huskey's maiden name was Jane Mill. I went with my parents to
Madison County Missouri, in the fall of 1828, where we resided till late in the
fall of 1835, when I again moved with the family to St. Clair County, Ill.,
where Father got a job of work for a month or two as wood chopper and rail
splitter on the banks of the Mississippi River. Then about June when the
family was again on the move we landed in Macoupin County, Ill., which has been
my home since the summer of 1836. Father bought a small farm on Hodges' Creek,
where he erected a log cabin; where we lived until the Spring of 1838, when we
resided on this place till the spring of 1844, when we emigrated to a farm which
Father bought in what is now Barr township. Here the family resided till Sept.
1856, when Father and Mother and the minor children moved to Phelps County,
Missouri, where after a few years Mother died. After the breaking out of the
war, Father and a few of the Children returned to Ill.

As to my own history, I would state; that I was converted in a Camp Meeting in
the fall of 1842, I think, and united with the M. E. Church in what is now Bird
Township. After some years the Church went down and most of the Class moved
their membership where it was rather inconvenient for me to attend; so I united
with the C. P. Church, it being very convenient for me to attend. After I moved
to Palmyra, I again united with the Methodist Church. I was first married to
Miss Sarah E. Patterson, in Oct. 1853. Of this union 2 children were born, one
of which died in infancy. The other (J. C. Reagan) lives. My wife died in Feb
1857. I was again married to my second wife, Margaret Simpson Patterson in
April, 1858. Of this marriage only one child was born, now Mrs. C. P. Angelo.
My second wife died in Oct. 1894.

I was again married to Miss Mary E. Story, of Queen City, Mo., Sept. 1895. My
wives were all members of the M. E. Church before their marriage. I was made
of Mason in about 1881, and am still a member. I belong to the G. A. Post No.
278, Palmyra, Ill.

I was enlisted in the Union Army, the first of Feb. 1865, and served a little
over 13 months; was discharged at Springfield, March, 3rd, 1866. After the
Pension Law of 1890 was passed, I applied under that Act for a pension and was
allowed a pension of 6 dollars per month. In due time I applied for an
increase of pension and kept it up till I was finally allowed a pension of
Twelve dollars per month, which comes very hand on in 3 months. Uncle Sam, I
think is very generous to his old boys.

Palmyra, Ill. May, 1906

Yesterday and today have been terrible cold for summertime. I do not know what
is to become of me. I must write a letter to Mother Story and also to Sister
Belle.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 48, 49-50.
"Joshua Reagan", Lula F. Shelton, 1982.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 370.

Richard married Sarah E. Patterson 3 Oct 1853. Sarah was born , Morgan, Illinois; died 1857, , MaCoupin, Illinois. [Group Sheet]

Children:

2. Nancy Jane Reagan was born 9 Feb 1855, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 28 Oct 1855.
3. John Calvin Reagan was born 11 Apr 1856, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 28 Jan 1934, St. Louis, Missouri; was buried Palmyra, MaCoupin, Illinois.

Richard married Margaret Simpson 28 Mar 1858, , MaCoupin, Illinois. Margaret (daughter of Jesse Simpson and Sarah) was born 11 Nov 1837, , Sangamon, Illinois; died 27 Oct 1894, Palmyra, Illinois; was buried Palmyra, Illinois. [Group Sheet]

Children:

4. Clara Rosa Belle Reagan was born 31 Mar 1859; died 20 Jun 1949, Palmyra, Illinois.

Richard married Mary E. Story 25 Sep 1895, Jacksonville, Illinois. Mary (daughter of Frank Story and Nancy McManus) was born 28 Mar 1851; died 4 Sep 1925, Palmyra, Illinois; was buried 6 Sep 1925. [Group Sheet]

Generation: 2

2. Nancy Jane Reagan (1.Richard¹) was born 9 Feb 1855, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 28 Oct 1855.
Notes:
----------
Reference:
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 374.

John Calvin Reagan

(1.Richard¹) was born 11 Apr 1856, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 28 Jan 1934, St. Louis, Missouri; was buried Palmyra, MaCoupin, Illinois.

Notes:

----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 50.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 374.

John married Emiline Story 24 Mar 1878, Murryville, Morgan, Illinois. Emiline (daughter of Story) was born 3 Mar 1858, , Morgan, Illinois; died 16 Aug 1893, Palmyra, MaCoupin, Illinois; was buried Palmyra, MaCoupin, Illinois. [Group Sheet]

Children:

5. Lula A. Ragan was born 1 Jan 1879, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 24 Feb 1879.
6. Olive A. Ragan was born 3 Feb 1880, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 4 Aug 1896.
7. William Riley Ragan was born 30 Jan 1882, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 12 Sep 1946, Palmyra, MaCoupin, Illinois; was buried Palmyra, MaCoupin, Illinois.
8. Richard Reuben Ragan was born 15 Mar 1884, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 22 May 1962, Long Beach, California.
9. Rosa B. Ragan was born 27 Feb 1886, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 29 Jul 1886.
10. Sarah Margaret Ragan was born 9 Jun 1887, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 7 Jan 1935.
11. Paul Ragan was born 16 Nov 1889, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died Feb 1890.
12. John Albert Ragan was born 27 May 1891, , MaCoupin, Illinois.

John — Christianne Sarah Caldonia(Callie) Bacon. Christianne was born 6 Jan 1859; died 26 Sep 1935, Palmyra, MaCoupin, Illinois; was buried Greenfield, Green, Illinois. [Group Sheet]

Children:

13. Raymond Leo "Raye" Ragan was born 27 Oct 1895, Modesto, MaCoupin, Illinois; died 27 Feb 1985.

John — Lizzie Holiday. [Group Sheet]

John — Mildred Mackrill. [Group Sheet]

Clara Rosa Belle Reagan

(1.Richard¹) was born 31 Mar 1859; died 20 Jun 1949, Palmyra, Illinois.

Notes:

Probably buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans", Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 50.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 376, 377.

Clara married Cemmedare P. Angelo Abt 1878, , MaCoupin, Illinois. Cemmedare was born 1848; died 1931, Palmyra, Illinois; was buried 1931. [Group Sheet]

Children:

14. Florence Jessie Angelo was born 1879, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died Feb 1961.
15. Angelo was born Abt 1881, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died Abt 1882.
16. Berdilla Angelo was born 12 Jul 1883, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 24 Aug 1927.
17. Margaret Angelo was born 1885, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 1947.
18. Una Angelo was born 21 Feb 1887, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 13 Feb 1976.
19. Angelo was born Abt 1889; died Abt 1890.
20. Percy O. Angelo was born 1892, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 23 Jul 1972.

Generation: 3

5. Lula A. Ragan (3.John², 1.Richard¹) was born 1 Jan 1879, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 24 Feb 1879.
Notes:
----------
Reference:
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 374.
6. Olive A. Ragan (3.John², 1.Richard¹) was born 3 Feb 1880, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 4 Aug 1896.
Notes:
----------
Reference:
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 374.

William Riley Ragan

(3.John², 1.Richard¹) was born 30 Jan 1882, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 12 Sep 1946, Palmyra, MaCoupin, Illinois; was buried Palmyra, MaCoupin, Illinois.

Notes:

William Riley Ragan was a Rural Mail Carrier.
----------
Reference:
"Joshua Reagan", Lula F. Shelton, 1982.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 374.

William married Pearl Lena Hartsook 5 Feb 1903, Palmyra, MaCoupin, Illinois. Pearl (daughter of Joseph A. Hartsook and Christianne Sarah Caldonia(Callie) Bacon) was born 20 Nov 1886, , Greene, Illinois; died 23 Dec 1955, Palmyra, MaCoupin, Illinois; was buried Palmyra, MaCoupin, Illinois. [Group Sheet]

Children:

21. Irene Ragan was born 1906, , MaCoupin, Illinois.
22. Helda Ragan was born 1908, , MaCoupin, Illinois.
23. William Donald Ragan was born 1911, , MaCoupin, Illinois.
24. Marvin Raye Ragan was born 23 Jun 1918, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 19 Apr 1984.

Richard Reuben Ragan

(3.John², 1.Richard¹) was born 15 Mar 1884, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 22 May 1962, Long Beach, California.

Notes:

----------
Reference:
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 374, 375.

Richard married Cora Angelo 1 Apr 1905, , MaCoupin, Illinois. Cora was born Abt 1890; died 15 Oct 1954, , MaCoupin, Illinois. [Group Sheet]

Children:

25. Mildred Ragan was born 14 Sep 1906, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 3 Sep 1968.
26. Olive Ragan was born 9 Mar 1908, , MaCoupin, Illinois.

Richard married Elsie 28 Apr 1959. [Group Sheet]

9. Rosa B. Ragan (3.John², 1.Richard¹) was born 27 Feb 1886, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 29 Jul 1886.
Notes:
----------
Reference:
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 374.

10.	Sarah Margaret Ragan (3.John², 1.Richard¹) was born 9 Jun 1887, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 7 Jan 1935. Notes: ---------- Reference: "The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 374. Sarah married T. Fitzgerald Jan 1905. [Group Sheet]

11. Paul Ragan (3.John², 1.Richard¹) was born 16 Nov 1889, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died Feb 1890.
Notes:
----------
Reference:
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 374.

12.	John Albert Ragan (3.John², 1.Richard¹) was born 27 May 1891, , MaCoupin, Illinois. Notes: ---------- Reference: "The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 374, 375. John married Ruby Simons 20 Jul 1919, , MaCoupin, Illinois. Ruby was born Abt 1898; died 31 Oct 1976. [Group Sheet]

13.

Raymond Leo "Raye" Ragan

(3.John², 1.Richard¹) was born 27 Oct 1895, Modesto, MaCoupin, Illinois; died 27 Feb 1985.

Notes:

Methodist Minister.
In World War I.
----------
Reference:
"Joshua Reagan", Lula F. Shelton, 1982.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 374.

Raymond married Edith LuElla Branan 24 Jun 1920, Palmyra, MaCoupin, Illinois. Edith (daughter of John I. Branan and Margaret Virginia Fearno) was born 11 Feb 1897, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died May 1961, Bloomington, McLean, Illinois; was buried Palmyra, MaCoupin, Illinois. [Group Sheet]

Children:

27. Betty Rae Ragan was born 17 Apr 1922, Atlanta, Logan, Illinois.
28. Keith Wesley Ragan was born 15 Jan 1924, Atlanta, Logan, Illinois.
29. Roger Lee Ragan was born 1 Mar 1927, San Jose, Logan, Illinois.
30. Rex Branan Ragan was born 1 Apr 1929, San Jose, Logan, Illinois.

Raymond married Esther Stevens 20 Aug 1966. [Group Sheet]

14.

Florence Jessie Angelo

(4.Clara², 1.Richard¹) was born 1879, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died Feb 1961.

Notes:

----------
Reference:
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 377.

Florence — Charlie Roberts. Charlie was born 1877; died Apr 1965. [Group Sheet]

Children:

31. Melvin Roberts was born 17 Jul 1918, Palmyra, Illinois.

15. Angelo (4.Clara², 1.Richard¹) was born Abt 1881, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died Abt 1882.
Notes:
----------
Reference:
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 377.

16.

Berdilla Angelo

(4.Clara², 1.Richard¹) was born 12 Jul 1883, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 24 Aug 1927.

Notes:

----------
Reference:
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 377.

Berdilla — Maurice Richie. Maurice was born 4 Oct 1878; died 4 Jun 1958. [Group Sheet]

Children:

32. Loren Richie was born 1910, Springfield, Illinois.

17.

Margaret Angelo

(4.Clara², 1.Richard¹) was born 1885, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 1947.

Notes:

----------
Reference:
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 377.

Margaret — Charles E. Dorks. Charles was born 1883; died 1958. [Group Sheet]

Children:

33. Margaret Dorks died 1974.

18.	Una Angelo (4.Clara², 1.Richard¹) was born 21 Feb 1887, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 13 Feb 1976. Notes: ---------- Reference: "The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 377. Una — Ralph Boyer. Ralph was born 31 Jul 1889; died 1973. [Group Sheet]

19. Angelo (4.Clara², 1.Richard¹) was born Abt 1889; died Abt 1890.
Notes:
----------
Reference:
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 377.

20.	Percy O. Angelo (4.Clara², 1.Richard¹) was born 1892, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 23 Jul 1972. Notes: ---------- Reference: "The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 377. Percy — Josie C.. Josie was born 1895; died 1954. [Group Sheet]

Generation: 4

21.	Irene Ragan (7.William³, 3.John², 1.Richard¹) was born 1906, , MaCoupin, Illinois. Notes: ---------- Reference: "The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 375. Irene — Robert Hepburn. [Group Sheet]

22.

Helda Ragan

(7.William³, 3.John², 1.Richard¹) was born 1908, , MaCoupin, Illinois.

Notes:

----------
Reference:
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 375.

Helda married Bernard H. Gummerman 30 Sep 1934, Bloomington, McLean, Illinois. Bernard (son of John B. Gummerman and Barbara Sonnenfroh) was born 1910. [Group Sheet]

Children:

34. Bernard Kurt Gummerman was born 1941.
35. Richard Kent Gummerman was born 1943.

23.	William Donald Ragan (7.William³, 3.John², 1.Richard¹) was born 1911, , MaCoupin, Illinois. Notes: ---------- Reference: "The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 375. William — Margaret. [Group Sheet]

24.

Marvin Raye Ragan

(7.William³, 3.John², 1.Richard¹) was born 23 Jun 1918, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 19 Apr 1984.

Notes:

----------
Reference:
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 375.

Marvin married Imogene Zahradca 16 Aug 1943. [Group Sheet]

Children:

25.

Mildred Ragan

(8.Richard³, 3.John², 1.Richard¹) was born 14 Sep 1906, , MaCoupin, Illinois; died 3 Sep 1968.

Notes:

----------
Reference:
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 375.

Mildred — Raymond Davidson. [Group Sheet]

Mildred — Ernest Clark. [Group Sheet]

Mildred — Elmer Lelhammer. [Group Sheet]

26.	Olive Ragan (8.Richard³, 3.John², 1.Richard¹) was born 9 Mar 1908, , MaCoupin, Illinois. Notes: ---------- Reference: "The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 375. Olive married Brengle Smith 14 Sep 1937. [Group Sheet]

27.

Betty Rae Ragan

(13.Raymond³, 3.John², 1.Richard¹) was born 17 Apr 1922, Atlanta, Logan, Illinois.

Notes:

----------
Reference:
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 375, 376.

Betty married William Carey Whitlock 24 Nov 1950, Springfield, Sangamon, Illinois. William was born 25 Feb 1912, Grand Rapids, Kent, Michigan. [Group Sheet]

Children:

40. Erin Rae Whitlock was born 6 Aug 1958, Holdrege, Phelps, Nebraska.
41. Michael William Whitlock was born 29 Apr 1960, Holdrege, Phelps, Nebraska.

28.

Keith Wesley Ragan

(13.Raymond³, 3.John², 1.Richard¹) was born 15 Jan 1924, Atlanta, Logan, Illinois.

Notes:

----------
Reference:
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 376.

Keith married Lorraine Ann Gutz 20 Sep 1958, Hampton, Franklin, Iowa. [Group Sheet]

Children:

42. David Wesley Ragan was born 13 Oct 1959, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona.
43. Peter Jeffry Ragan was born 4 Dec 1961, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona.
44. John Raye Ragan was born 21 Feb 1964, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona.
45. Susan Lorraine Ragan was born 1 Jan 1967, Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona.

29.

Roger Lee Ragan

(13.Raymond³, 3.John², 1.Richard¹) was born 1 Mar 1927, San Jose, Logan, Illinois.

Notes:

----------
Reference:
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 376.

Roger married Pauline King 10 Jan 1954, Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet]

Children:

46. Karen Lynn Ragan was born 11 Nov 1956, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
47. Matthew King Ragan was born 3 Sep 1958, Bishop, Inyo, California.

30.	Rex Branan Ragan (13.Raymond³, 3.John², 1.Richard¹) was born 1 Apr 1929, San Jose, Logan, Illinois. Notes: ---------- Reference: "The Book of Ragan/Reagan," Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 376. Rex married Roberta Nicholson 7 Aug 1968. [Group Sheet]

31. Melvin Roberts (14.Florence³, 4.Clara², 1.Richard¹) was born 17 Jul 1918, Palmyra, Illinois.

32.

Loren Richie

(16.Berdilla³, 4.Clara², 1.Richard¹) was born 1910, Springfield, Illinois.

Loren — Rachel. [Group Sheet]

Children:

33. Margaret Dorks (17.Margaret³, 4.Clara², 1.Richard¹) died 1974.
Margaret — Swat. [Group Sheet]