Ragsdale: Generation 7

Some Children of Thomas Ragsdale & Mary Ann Kilgore

Sarah Jane Ragsdale & John Alexander Westerfield

12 Aug 1819: John Alexander Westerfield, son of John and Hannah Hale Westerfield,  was born in Mercer County, KY.

10 May 1835: Sarah Jane Ragsdale was born in Conway County, AR.

31 May 1842: John married Mahala Proctor in Ohio.  Mahala died in 1850.

7 Mar 1851: Sarah Ragsdale and John Westerfield were married in Conway County.

30 Aug 1859: J. A. Westerfield and S. S. Ford witnessed a deed of gift of a slave named Ellen from [Sarah's father] Thomas Ragsdale to  [Sarah's sister] Margaret G. Ragsdale.[1]

14 Dec 1859: Father Thomas sold one mulatto named Henry (age 8, valued at $600, and purchased from D. G. Sherron, administrator of the William Sherron estate, on 1 Jan 1855) to daughter Sarah Jane Westerfield for $1.00 and his "natural love and affection".  Thomas was to retain possession for his lifetime.  Witnesses: W. G. Hanna and T. E. Emerson.[2]

1 Sep 1860: J. A. Westerfield, J. W. Duncan, and J. W. Willbanks witnessed a trust deed from J. D. Morgan to T. D. Ragsdale.[3]

11 Jul 1861: Thomas Ragsdale, Thomas Kilgore, and J. A. Westerfield were appointed to the "home guard of minutemen . . . not less than one for each township", for Union Township.[4]

13 Aug 1870 Census, Union Township, Conway County, AR (Springfield P.O.): J. A. Westerfield, MD, born KY, with real and personal property valued at $800 and $600; Sarah 35, born AR; Mary 17; James 15; John 13; Waldemar 6; Robert 4; Lenora 1.[5] 

1 Jun 1880 Census, Atkins, Pope County, AR: Physician J. A. Westerfield 60, KY KY KY; wife Sarah J. 44, AR TN TN; physician son John 22, AR KY AR; Waldemar 17; Robert Lee 12; Margaret S. 11; daughter Francis 4; Isabel Ragsdale 8, with no relationship listed, AR TN TN; servant Eliza Meriman 23.  They were listed next to [Sarah's brother and sister-in-law] Lewis and Allene Ragsdale.[6]  Who is little Isabel?

1 Jun 1900 Census, McGregor, McLennan County, TX: Physician J. A. Westerfield 80, born Aug 1820 in KY, married 48 years; Sarah 64, born July 1835, AR TN TN, married 48 years, mother of 9 children, 4 living; granddaughter Lizzie J. 17, born Nov 1882, AR AR AR; grandson Grover 15, born Sep 1884; granddaughter Katie E. 13, born Apr 1887.[7]

3 Feb 1905: John died in McLennan County.

12 Mar 1915: Sarah died in McLennan County.  She and John are buried in McGregor Cemetery.

Children of Sarah Ragsdale and John Alexander Westerfield:

Mary Hannah Westerfield (18 Jan 1853 - 23 Aug 1926)

James B. Westerfield (1855 - 18 Dec 1916; m. 1st Lillia M. Catherine Scott 5 Jul 1891, m. 2nd Josephine Humphries)

2 May 1910 Census, McGregor, McLennan County, TX (Ward 3, District 104): Farmer James B. Westerfield 55, AR KY AR, married for 18 years to second wife; Lilla 42, MS SC OH, first marriage, mother of 5 children, 4 living; Charlie B. 16, TX AR MS; Nellie 14; Butler 12; Murhl 6.[8]

John Alexander Westerfield (27 Aug 1857 - 7 Feb 1897)

Nancy J. Westerfield (24 Mar 1860 - 1860)

Ann Lenora Westerfield (7 Feb 1862 - 1862)

Waldemar Westerfield (16 Dec 1863 - 13 Oct 1889)

Robert Lee Westerfield (26 Oct 1866 - 2 Feb 1884)

Marguerite M. Westerfield (3 Feb 1869 - 1900)

Sarah Francis Westerfield (24 Apr 1872 - 10 Jul 1954)

Louisa H. Ragsdale & John W. McCarley

2 Nov 1833: John W. McCarley was born in Tennessee, the son of Moses and Elizabeth Griffin McCarley.[9]

16 Jan 1838: Louisa was born in Conway County, AR.

29 Dec 1858:  Louisa and John were married, the bride's age given as 20, the groom's as 25.  The ceremony was performed by Justice of the Peace Alex Gordon, husband of  Louisa's cousin Nancy Ragsdale Gordon.

28 Mar 1861: John McCarley obtained a patent from the Batesville Land Office for land in S17 T8 R17W.[10]

A John McCarty served as a Private in the 2nd Arkansas Cavalry.  This was the same regiment in which Howell Ragsdale and A. Ragsdale served.

25 Aug 1870 Census, Griffin Township, Pope County, AR (Dover P.O.): Farmer John W. McCarley 37, born TN, with real and personal property valued at $2,500 and $350; Louisa H. 32, born AR; John W. 8; Thomas 3; [John's father] Moses McCarley 78, born SC, a farmer with personal property worth $150.[11]

11 Jun 1880 Census, Griffin Township, Pope County, AR: Miller John W. McCarley 46, born TN; Louisa 42, born AR; John W. 18; Thomas 12; Charles 8; Sarah F. 6; Phebe J. 1; Larkin 4/12.[12]

21 Jul 1887: John died in Pope County and was buried in the McCarley Cemetery in Appleton.[13]

29 Apr 1910 Census, Whiteville Township, Baxter County, AR: Railrod "operator" William H. Dewey 37, OH VA OH, married for 12 years; Phoebe 30, AR TN TN, mother of 5 children, 4 living; Ralph H. 11, AR OH AR; Lottie E. 7; Hugh R. 3; mother-in-law Louise H. McCarley 72, TN TN TN, a widow.[14]  They were residing on Harding Road, College Heights.

Jan 1920 Census, Whiteville Township, Baxter County, AR (District 9): Railroad train dispatcher William H. Duey 42, OH VA OH; Phoebe 40, AR TN TN; Ralph H. 20, a railroad clerk; Lottie E. 17; George A. 15; Hugh 12; Louise 7 and 3/12; William R. 3 and 2/12; widowed mother-in-law Louise McCarley 82, KY TN US.[15]

15 Mar 1921: Louisa died in Atkins, Pope County, and was buried in the City Cemetery there.[16]

Children of Louisa Ragsdale and John W. McCarley:

Mary E. McCarley (1 Nov 1859 - 15 Jul 1861)

John W. McCarley (May 1862 -     ; m. Mamie Osborn 18 Jul 1897)

Lydia A. McCarley (1 Feb 1864 - 28 Sep 1866)

Thomas McCarley (1 Nov 1867 - 13 Nov 1918; m. 1st Nora Lee Williams 27 Sep 1896, m. 2nd Ida Boland 17 Jan 1898)

Charles McCarley (Jan 1872 - 1 Feb 1933; m. Mary Guthrie 5 Jun 1896)

Sarah F. McCarley (1874 -     ; m. John Michael Alewine 26 Apr 1899)

Phoebe J. McCarley (c. 1879 -     ; m. William H. Dewey 17 Mar 1898)

Larkin George McCarley (28 Feb 1880 - 12 Jun 1948; m. 1st Lillie Jones 24 Jul 1906, m. 2nd Mattie Tolbert 20 Aug 1922)

When Larkin George McCauley registed for the draft in Morrilton, AR, he gave his birth date as 28 Feb 1880, his place of residence as Hattieville, Conway County, his profession as veterinary surgeon, and his next of kin, quite inexplicitly, as Francis McCarley.  Who was Francis McCarley?  He was described on the form as tall and stout, with blue eyes and black hair, and no disabilities.

Lewis Thomas Ragsdale & Isabelle Allene Boggess

31 Dec 1840: Lewis T. Ragsdale was born in Conway County, AR. There's some question regarding the spelling of the name.  "Though my dad did not spell his name this way, he should have because the name is carried on lovingly by several generations".[17]  Louis [or Lewis] Henderson Moore,  was almost undoubtedly named for this maternal uncle. 

1 May 1849: Isabel Allene Boggess was born in Kentucky, the "daughter of Charles H. Boggess (born Sept. 10, 1822) and Isabel C. Martin  (born May 6, 1826).   Charles Boggess, a native of Kentucky, arrived in Arkansas in 1845, settling in Jackson County.  He conducted a mercantile business in Pottsville, Ark. for about half a century."[18]  Allene claimed May 1837 in the 1900 Census with age of 63.  The latter can't be correct, as that would make her 57 at the birth of her last child in 1893.  In the 1870 Census, she was listed as born in KY, but the 1900 Census had AR.

28 Sep 1858: Lewis purchased a slave named Isaac from [father] Thomas D. Ragsdale in Conway County.[19]  Isaac's age, almost unreadable, was given as 11 or 13.

27 Aug 1859: Along with J. A. Westerfield, he sold Lot 2, Block 17 in Springfield to John Herrod.[20]  Was this the property he obtained from his father the previous year?  Physician John Alexander Westerfield was a Lewis' brother-in-law.

During the Civil War, Lewis T. Ragsdale served as 1st Lieutenant with Company K, 10th Arkansas Infantry.  Also serving in the company was J. T. Ragsdale or was that merely a misprint?[21]

W. Oates Ragsdale wrote of Lewis' war experiences in The History of Pope County Arkansas:

Lewis T. Ragsdale served throughout the Civil War with the Confederate Army, rising to the rank of First Lieutenant.  He went to the front with the first company from Morrilton.  He was wounded at the battle of Shiloh.  He was in the siege of Vicksburg.  Wade, a son, remembers him telling that every time the federal gunboats would shell Vicksburg, that Lewis and his little gray mare he had taken to the army with him, would run to the same dugout.  He was captured at Vicksburg and shipped to Johnson's Island on Lake Erie.  He and fellow prisoners of war speared rats and boiled them for food.  They attempted to rid themselves of some lice by washing their clothes and hanging them out.  They hoped when the clothes froze, some lice would slide off.  While a prisoner of war on Johnson's he carved a knife and fork out of bones.  These are now the property of Phillip Ward Ragsdale, a Little Rock lawyer. Lewis recalls [sic] that all of those who tried to escape by swimming the three miles of water, he never heard of any of them.  Since he would not swear allegiance to the federal government.  He was held a prisoner of war until well after the hostilities ceased.[22]

15 Nov 1866: L. T. and Allene were married in Conway County by B. H. Bearden. "Their wedding was celebrated at the old Ragsdale mill, where he devoted a number of years to the milling business."[23]  "He had a drug store in Atkins.  He received a medical degree from the University of Arkansas and practiced medicine at Atkins and Pottsville.  In Pottsville, he had a grist mill, sawmill, cotton gin, and general store."[24]

16 Mar 1869: He purchased Lots 1-3, Block 7 and Lots 2-3, Block 17 in Springfield from [father-in-law] Charles H. Boggess.[25]

11 Jul 1870: William Ragsdale, as administrator of the estate of Alexander Gordon, sold a judgment and note to L. T. Ragsdale for $5.50.  Witnesses: C. W. Boggess and T. [or D.] Morgan.  William was L. T.'s uncle.

9 Aug 1870 Census, Conway County, AR  (Union Township, Springfield P.O.): Farmer L. T. Ragsdale 29, born in AR, with real and personal property worth $1,000 and $500 respectively; Allenn 20, born in KY; Albert 3; Charley 1; domestic servant Farmy Pearck.  They were listed next to [father and step-mother] T. D. and Olivia Ragsdale.[26]

24 Jun 1871: He bought property from John A. Westerfield.[27]

18 May 1880: L. T. Ragsdale was involved in mortgage on a steam engine and "fixtures" with Thomas Minyard and wife.[28]

1 Jun 1880 Census, Atkins, Pope County, AR: Druggist L. T. Ragsdale 39, AR TN [third illegible]; Allene 28, KY KY KY; Sidney 13, AR AR KY; son T. 10; Hannah 6; J. L. 1.  J. L. was mistakenly identified as female.  They were listed next to J. A. and Sarah Westerfield.[29]

They were members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in their younger years, but were later affiliated with the Central Presbyterian Church.

c. 1900: The family moved to McGregory, TX but stayed only one year, voting unanimously to return to AR.  They had probably moved there with J. A. and Sarah Westerfield, as the latter's family was enumerated on 2 Jun 1900 in McGregor, McLennan County, TX.[30]

2 Jun 1900 Census, Pottsville, Pope County, AR: Physician Lewis T. Ragsdale 59, born Dec 1840, AR TN TN; married 33 years; Allean 63, born May 1837, AR KY KY, mother of 8 children, 5 living; John L. 21, born Dec 1878, AR AR AR, employed as a dry goods and grocery merchant; student Robert A. 18, born May 1884;  Allie 10, born Apr 1890; Wade 7, born Feb 1893.  Close by was the family of [son] Albert Ragsdale, also a physician.[31]

20 Apr 1910 Census, Russelville, Pope County, AR: Louis T. Ragsdale 68, AR NC NC, married for 44 years, living on "own income"; Allien 59, TN KY SC, mother of 9 children, 6 living; Robert 25, AR AR TN, employed as "Sales Man" at a grocery store; Allie 21, bookkeeper at a grocery store; Wade 17.[32]

                12 Jun 1918: L. T. died in Russellville, AR.  He is buried in Pisgah Cemetery.

2 Jan 1920 Census, Russellville, Pope County, AR: Widow Alleen Ragsdale 71, TN KY SC; son Robert A. 36, AR AR TN, a lawyer; daughter Alleen 30, no occupation; son Wade 27, an auto salesman.[33]  They were residing on Washington.

12 Apr 1930 Census, Russellville, Pope County, AR: Widow Aleene Ragsdale 80, TN KY Carolina, married at age 17; son Wade, age unknown, a garage manager; daughter Aleene, age unknown, no occupation.[34]  They were living on S. Boston Ave.

26 May 1946: Isabel died and was buried beside her husband.

Children of Lewis T. and Isabel Allene Boggess Ragsdale:

Albert Sidney Johnston Ragsdale (14 Jul 1867 - 14 Jul 1942; m. Lillas Ann Ferguson 24 Dec 1890)

Albert received his medical degree from the University of Louisville, KY, in 1890.

2 Jun 1900 Census, Pottsville, Pope  County, AR: Physician Albert S. Ragsdale 34, born July 1865, AR AR AR, married for 9 years; Lillas A. 27, born Feb 1873, AR NC NC, mother of 3 children, all living; Ethel R. 7, born Jun 1893; Joseph W. 5, born May 1895; Floyd T. age 10/12, born Aug 1899.  They were listed close to Lewis and Allene Ragsdale.[35]

"Dr. Ragsdale practiced medicine in Pottsville until he moved to Russellville, at which time he retired from practicing medicine.  He was a landowner and was engaged in several business interests in Russellville."[36]         

Charles T. Ragsdale (18 Mar 1869 -     )

Excelsior Hannah "Dock" Ragsdale (17 Nov 1871 - 18 Oct 1921; m. Emma Susan Oates 17 Nov 1897)

Emma Susan Oates, born Dec. 3, 1874, was the daughter of Reverend Monroe Oates and Amanda Harper. 

  According to William Oates Ragsdale:

Dock Ragsdale was a farmer.  He lived on Galla Creek, along Highway 64 at Potts Station.  He farmed one crop in Texas.   Dr. L. T. Ragsdale must have beheld greener fields in Texas, for he moved his entire family there in 1900.  After one year in Texas, Dr. Ragsdale took a family vote on staying in Texas or going back to Pope County.  The vote to return to Pope County was unanimous.  Dock  was the first one to return and moved into the Doctor's home at Potts Station.   In 1910 Dock and his family moved to Russellville.  He farmed at Prairie Grove.  He and Lewis Ragsdale bought a 80 acre farm on the Missouri Pacific railroad behind where the office of the Arkansas Light and Power Company is presently located in Russellville.  He had his barn behind his home on East Washington St.

Dock was an energetic farmer who gave Holla Bend Bottom everything he had.  He was a practitioner of the Protestant work ethic long before anyone called it that.  He believed a man ought to be plowing in the field when the sun came up.  His daughters, Evelyn and Margaret, remember their dad's pre-dawn call to rouse them from the night's slumber. The 'get up' call would be made to them as he started toward the barn to feed the stock.  The two girls would drowse in bed, half awake until they heard the barn gate close, which was a signal to them he had finished feeding and was headed toward the house.  They would immediately jump out of bed, scurry to the kitchen, and be piously engaged in helping their mother prepare a hearty breakfast when their daddy entered the kitchen.

For one season, Dock weighed cotton at the Russellville Cotton Yard.  For several years he operated a dray to haul the cotton from the cotton yard to the Missouri Pacific freight office.

Dock had not professed faith in Christ before his marriage.  He did so soon afterward and was received into the Pottsville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.  A humble man, he did not believe he was talented for a leadership role in the church.  At the Russellville Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, he became sort of a 'doorkeeper'.  He was there every Sunday morning handing out the psalm books to the congregation as they entered.  After the death of the Reverend Monroe Oates in 1900, he provided a home for his mother-in-law, Amanda Harper Oates until her death in 1918.  She was an 'honored guest' whom the children still speak about with love, awe, and admiration . . .

Dock suffered a severe hit on his head while hurriedly working on a wagon wheel to go sit up that night with a sick man.  He died as a result of this injury on October 16, 1921.  He was buried at Pisgah Cemetery,  Pottsville . . .[37]

Mary Bell Ragsdale

John Lewis Ragsdale (12 Dec 1878 - 1944; m. Alma L. Strayhorn 9 Oct 1904)

Robert A. Ragsdale (28 May 1884 -     ; m. Celeste D. Campbell 26 May 1901)

. . . Robert A. Ragsdale attended Hendrix College and later graduated from George Washington University in 1915, with a degree in law.  He returned home and entered his profession and was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States January 14, 1918, and had already been admitted to practice before all the state courts.  He was the first man ever admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States in the uniform of the Navy.  He was connected with the intelligence office and served most of his time at Newport News, doing convoy work largely . . .

Mr. and Mrs. Ragsdale moved to Russellville and there served two terms as prosecuting attorney of this district 1925 through 1928.  In the early 1930s they moved back  to Little Rock where he had a state job. . . .[38]

Allene "Allie" Ragsdale (Apr 1890 -     )

Wade Ragsdale (16 Nov 1892 - 25 Feb 1981; m. Irene D. Shinn 4 Oct 1936)

Wade graduated from the Draughon's Business College in Little Rock, then attended 2nd District Agricultural School, but left to work as a bookkeeper at Pope County Bank.  When his father bought him the first car in Russellville, a 1912 Model T, Wade went into the auto business, which he followed until his retirement.[39] 

Irene Shinn Ragsdale was the daughter of James Reuben and Katie Frances Swilling Shinn.

Margaret G. Ragsdale & Madison Elliot Moore »

If you have material about or photos of any individuals included in Nancy's Dead Relatives, can add well-documented family lines, have corrections and/or comments, or wish to establish a link to or from this site, please contact me at nancy@nancysdeadrelatives.com.  However, the decision whether or not to include any submitted material is the webmaster's (mine) alone. 

Nancy Denty Breidenthal

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