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CAMPBELL W. RAGAN. Among those to whom Jefferson County owes a debt of gratitude for their share in the development of her great agricultural resources and in the various affairs through which the interests of society are advanced, the name of Campbell W. Ragan, who was formerly one of the wealthy agriculturists of Mt. Vernon Township, should not be passed unnoticed. Besides valuable property in the city of which he is the owner, he is also the possessor of one hundred and fifty acres in Mt. Vernon Township. Mr. Ragan was born in Blount County, Tenn., in 1835, and is the fourth in order of birth of the eight children born to Richard and Brazilia (Stalling) Ragan. The father was a native of Virginia, and the mother of South Carolina. The former accompanied his parents, John and Eliza J. (Hood) Ragan, to Tennessee when quite young and there grew to mature years and was married. John Ragan served as a patriot in the War of 1812 and during that period participated in the battle of New Orleans. The brothers and sisters of our subject are, Nathaniel, who died in Mississippi leaving two children, Richard N. and Lizzie. Eliza, Mrs.' Daniel Leet, of Wayne County, this state; Martha, now deceased, who was the wife of Vaughn Rudd, of Missouri; Margaret, who married Mathew Walters and departed this life in 1876; Brazilia, who married Ob Copeland, of Jefferson County; John R., who died in 1863 from the effects of injuries received while in the Union army; and Minerva, Mrs. Hiram Miller, who lives in Lebanon, Mo. Campbell W. Ragan, of this sketch, was eighteen years of age when he came to this county, where he has since made his home. He began life with little but his natural ability, and allowing nothing to discourage him, worked industriously. He is now well known throughout the community and is the possessor of a considerable fortune. In 1856 he was married to Miss Elizabeth Maxey, who was a native of Tennessee and who came to Illinois two years prior to her marriage. Of the nine children born to Mr. and Mrs. Ragan five are living, namely: Samuel, a resident of Mt. Vernon; Eliza J.,Mrs. W.P. Pigg,of Ewing, Franklin County, this state; Allen, who also makes his home in Mt. Vernon; Edward, who is living at home; and Mary, now Mrs. William Whitsell, living in this county. Nancy, James, Ida and an infant are deceased. Our subject made his home in Mt. Vernon until 1857, in which year he removed to Moore's Prairie, where lie was engaged in farming for the following five years. In 1862 he again changed his location, this time establishing a home just east of the city, where he owned a large tract of land comprising two hundred and fifty acres, the greater part of which he cleare.d and improved himself. This he has since sold and now has in his possession one hundred and fifty acres in Mt. Vernon Township. The record of our subject as a local official extends over ten years, and his reputation as a conscientious and efficient public servant in the various positions to which he had been called is undeniable. He has been Township Assessor seven terms, and for four years filled the office of Justice of the Peace. Politically he has always been a stanch Democrat. With his family he is a member of the United Baptist Church, and is held in good repute by all who know him, and he has many sincere friends throughout the community.
Source: Portrait and Biographical Record of Clinton, Washington, Marion and Jefferson Counties, IL |
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