Thomas Jefferson Ragan / Phoebe Graham Rogers, early 19th C
"Phoebe Graham Aug. 16, 1819-Dec. 3, 1916, born Kentucky She married on March 25, 1840 in Switzerland Co. [Indiana], Benjamin Locke; [s]he married on March 2, 1843 in Switzerland Co., Thomas J. Ragan. They lived 1850 Pleasant Township. Moved to Delaware Co. then to Tipton Co. at age 60. A 1914 biographical sketch lists her as daughter of John Graham and Nancy Rogers." -- from Switzerland County Biographies.
Thomas J. Ragan is Thomas Jefferson Ragan, my gggg-grandfather. According to our family's oral history, he married a Phoebe Rogers, maiden name Graham, from Kentucky. Thomas Jefferson Ragan's birth & death dates are not known, but the 1850 census in Switzerland County lists him as 27 yo: hence b ~1823. (The same census lists "Phebe" living with him as also 27 yo, but this is probably wrong). Names and ages of four children (Martha, Julia, Mary, Thomas) in the 1850 census agree very well with our oral history (a fifth child, James, was born later). Our oral history states that Thomas Jefferson Ragan moved from Switzerland County to Tipton County, Indiana in 1851 (not 1860, as in the Switzerland County Biographies).
A Phoebe Reagan 1819-1916 is buried in Normanda Cemetery, Tipton County Indiana -- as is a James Ragan 1861-1939 (her son?). Her headstone reads “MOTHER”.
The article in Switzerland County Biographies (quoted above) relies on information from "a 1914 newspaper interview" with Phoebe Ragan. The newspaper is not identified in the extract that I have.
I would be most interested to receive information on Thomas Jefferson Ragan and Phoebe/Phebe Ragan/Reagan.
Phoebe was daughter of Baptist minister Rev. John Graham (approx May 12, 1784 - Sept 3, 1862), and granddaughter of James Graham Jr.The elder Graham moved from Bedford County Pennsylvania to Estill County Kentucky by 1808, then to Switzerland County Indiana in ~1821, where he married the widow Lavina Richards Bell. James's son (apparently by a previous wife) John Graham married Nancy Rogers (ca 1789 - April 17, 1864), daughter of Revolutionary War soldier Stephen Rogers, about 1807. Rev. John Graham died in Delaware County, while Nancy Rogers Graham died in Hamilton County. Phoebe was previously married to Benjamin Locke (Lock), who will was probate on 4 May 1841.
Any assistance in finding this 1914 newspaper article (interview with Phoebe Graham Ragan) would be very greatly appreciated! -- perhaps the best link to Thomas Jefferson Ragan.
Also seeking details on Thomas Jefferson Ragan's son Thomas Franklin Ragan (December 11, 1849 - December 9, 1918): born Switzerland County, moved at age 2 to Tipton County, married Hester Angeline Bess, died March 20, 1883 probably in Tipton County.
Sincerely,
Mark Ragan