pages 245-246:
Andrew J. RAGSDALE was born in Wilson County, Tenn., in the year 1842,
being a son of R. J. and Jinsie G. (RAGSDALE) RAGSDALE, who were both born and reared in Tennessee. Thinking to better his fortunes, the father, in
1849, emigrated westward and settled in Greene County, Mo., on a farm.
Here he still resides at the age of eight-one years. In 1860 he was the
Republican candidate to represent his (Greene) county in the House of
Representatives, and on account of his stanch political views he gained the
enmity of those that favored secession, and he came near to losing his life
a short time after the battle of Wilson's Creek, in 1861.
Andrew J. Ragsdale received such education as could then be obtained in the meager
schools of that time, and although quite young when the war broke out he
enthusiastically espoused the Union cause, and in 1861 enlisted in three
month's service, and later joined Company H, Third Regiment Missouri
Volunteer Cavalry, with which he served three years. Although he took part
in some of the most desperate and bloody combats of the war, he escaped
with only a slight wound, which was in the hand. After receiving his discharge, which was on the 17th day of June, 1865, he returned to his home
and resumed the peaceful pursuits of farming. In 1866 he was united in
marriage to Susan E. YOUNGBLOOD, by whom he has had ten children, three of
whom are deceased and seven are living. The deceased are Mary L., Charles E. and an infant son. The living are Henry E., Sarah J., George D., John
F., Enock L., Paulina A. and Ella A. Mr. Ragsdale, though deprived of the
benefits of a good education, is trying to school his children. He was
elected justice of the peace of Buck Prairie Township in 1882, and was
re-elected four years later. He owns a good farm of 130 acres, which is
well improved, valued at about $4,000. He is a member of the G.A.R., and
he and his wife and two children are members of the Christian Church. He is also a stanch Republican in politics, and never voted any other ticket.
His eldest son, Henry E., was born in Greene County, Mo., August 22, 1867, and at an early age finished the common school course. In June, 1886, he graduated with honors from the Marionville Collegiate Institute. Since
finishing his college course he has been engaged in the profession of
teaching school. The following verses on "Marionville" are from his pen,
and were at first written as a college exercise:
MARIONVILLE
By Henry E. Ragsdale.
O Marionville! Learning's western seat!
All hail thy churches, schools and towers!
With noble motives 'tis thy aim
To inspire the youth in opening hours!
'Tis true some towns are larger grown;
But search my muse and to me tell,
Is there a town in all the West
In moral worth doth ours excel?
'Tis here fair science reigns as Queen,
Here Greeks and Latins live again,
Here every noble mean's employed
Which makes of youths our useful men.
'Tis here the lawyer, doctor, preacher,
Soldier, scholar, statesman, sage,
Merchant, and other noble men,
Live and shall live from age to age.
And, O young town of brightening hopes,
Like the young fledgling in its nest
With wings just grown to try the air,
For thee there is no rest, no rest.
But where thy pleasant village stands,
A mighty city shall arise--
The queen of our great western land,
In real worth a sweet surprise!
For north and south and east and west
I have been and can go at will;
But have not found a place for which
I'd sacrifice thee, Marionville!
For 'twas beneath thy honored shade,
Those lessons first were given me,
Which trained my feebled powers and made
Me all I am and hope to be.
O Marionville! Learning's western seat!
All hail thy churches, schools and towers!
With noblest motives thou are wont
To inspire the youth in opening hours!
'Tis true some towns are larger grown;
But "to the world the story tell,"
There's not a town in all the West
In real worth doth ours excel!
Return to Lawrence County Biographies