RAGSDALE, William S.

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WILLIAM S. RAGSDALE

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Long a Conspicuous Figure in Johnson
County, Passes Away

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William S. Ragsdale, who for nearly a half century, has been one of the most prominent citizens of Johnson county, died at his residence in this city, Friday, March 3. He was born in Oldham coun­ty, Ky., Jan 11, 1822 and came to this state in 1851, settling at Trafalgar. For a number of years he clerked for Major Sturgeon who was engaged in a general merchandise business and at different times worked at his trade, that of car­penter. He soon gained the confidence of the citizens of Hensley township and took an active part in its affairs. In 1859 his friends induced him to become a candidate for county recorder. He secured the nomination and was elected serving four years with ability and to the satisfaction of citizens. After his election he became a resident of Frank­lin which he ever afterwards made his home.

In 1864 Mr. Ragsdale was elected to the responsible office of county trea­surer and re-elected in 1866, his official career ending 1868. In this position also he proved himself to be a safe and efficient officer.

During this period he accumulated considerable property which he still owned at the time of his death. This includes the business rooms known as the New York Store building, his resi­dence on East Jefferson street near the Merchants Hotel, three resident houses on Yandes street and a farm of forty acres east of town. His first wife, Mary E. McQuinn died many years ago. His second wife, May E. Tresslar, still sur­vives him, with a daughter, Miss Cora Ragsdale, the only heir.

In early life Mr. Ragsdale was an active member of the Baptist church.

The only brother, out of six, still living is the Rev. John W. Ragsdale of Mor­gantown. The other brothers were G. B. Ragsdale, T. W. Ragsdale, Tho­mas Ragsdale and A. M. Ragsdale. The two former became residents of John­son county and were among its most respected citizens. The latter was the father of John W. Ragsdale, vice-president of the Citizen’s National Bank, and ex-county treasurer. A large number of descendants of these brothers live at present in Johnson county.

The funeral occurred Monday from the late residence of the deceased at­tended by a large number of friends and relatives both at home and from a distance. The services were conducted by Rev. E. S. Gardiner of the First Bap­tist church and were especially im­pressive. In recognition of his official career the present county officers form­ed in a body marched to the residence and then preceded the funeral pro­cession to Greenlawn cemetery where the remains were laid to rest.

The Franklin Democrat, Friday, September 29, 1893,
Volume XXXIV Number 12, page 6 column

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Administratrix Sale of
Real Estate.

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NOTICE is hereby given that under the order of the Johnson Circuit Court, I will sell at public auction on

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1893,

The following described real estate, si­tuated in the city of Franklin, Johnson county, Indiana, at the court house door in the city of Franklin, to-wit:

Eighteen (18) feet off the west side of lot number twenty-nine (29) original plat of the town, now city of Franklin, Indiana. Said sale will be made between the hours of 10 o’clock a.m., and 4 o’clock p.m. of the said day to the highest bidder and on the following terms to-wit:

One-third cash in hand, one-third in twelve months, and one-third in eighteen months from date of sale with seven percent. per annum interest on the deferred payments.

Notice is further given, that if said premises are not sold at the time aforesaid at public sale, the undersigned will proceed at once to offer and sell said real estate at private sale for not less than the appraised value thereof, on the same terms and conditions as above set forth.

MARY E. RAGSDALE,  
Administratrix of the estate of
W. S. Ragsdale, deceased.  

  September 29, 1893

Link to William S. Ragsdale’s grave

Submitted by Mark McCrady and Cathea Curry