| 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.
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