My Genealogy Hound

James H. Ragland, ex-county treasurer, Nelson, Ark. Mr. Ragland is a good example of what may be accomplished in life when a thorough determination to succeed in any calling is coupled with energy, perseverance and close application in the direction chosen. From his earliest recollection up to a certain period, his time was occupied with the duties of farm life, and after securing a fair education in the common schools, he began teaching, which he continued in connection with farming for some time. His birth occurred in Chatham County, N. C., on March 5, 1824, and he is the son of Thomas and Jane (Cross) Ragland, natives of North Carolina, and the grandson of Frederick and Mary (Barham) Ragland, natives of North Carolina and Virginia, respectively. Frederick Ragland was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and was the son of Frederick Ragland, who was the son of one of three brothers, who came from Wales at a very early period, settled in Virginia, but afterward moved one of these to North Carolina. Mary Barham, grandmother of subject, was the daughter of ____and Elizabeth (Moss) Barham. Thomas Ragland, father of J. H. Ragland, was born in 1800, and was a successful planter in Chatham County, N. C, owning about fifteen or twenty slaves. He died in 1863, and his wife previous to this, in 1856. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was born in 1803, and was the daughter of Parish and Elizabeth (Williams) Cross. Of the nine children born to his parents, James H. Ragland was next to the eldest, and six are still living: James H., Elbert F. (farmer of North Carolina), W. A. (farmer of North Carolina), Elizabeth S. A. (now Mrs. Jones of North Carolina), Mary E. (now Mrs. Rosser, of North Carolina), and Emma (now Mrs. Thomas, of North Carolina.) James H. commenced life for himself in 1847, by farming on land given him by his father, and in 1858, he came to Arkansas, where he has since been engaged in tilling the soil in Drew County. Previous to this, in 1847, he married Miss Sarah Partridge, of North Carolina, who died in 1882, leaving nine children, four of whom are still living: Thomas M. (farmer and merchant of Cleveland County, Ark.), John M. (farmer of Texas), Molly E. (now Mrs. Crawford, of Cleveland County), and Sarah Florence (now Mrs. Hobs, of Drew County). In 1884 Mr. Ragland took for his second wife Mrs. Georgia B. Freeman, whose maiden name was Bratton, and who was the widow of Samuel Freeman of Drew County. Mrs. Ragland was born in Tennessee, in 1835, and is the daughter of George and Harriet (Christian) Bratton. She received her education at Jackson Female College from which institution she graduated, and is a lady of refinement and culture. In 1858 Mr. Ragland moved to his present farm, consisting of 320 acres, and there he has about 100 acres under cultivation. He is also the owner of a quarter section in Marion Township. His principal crop is cotton. He was elected county treasurer on a Liberal Independent ticket, the ticket being nominated by both the Democrats and Republicans, and his ability and peculiar fitness for this position was so apparent that in 1874 he was re-elected, this time by the Democrat party. He and Mrs. Ragland are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. In 1863 Mr. Ragland enlisted in Brook’s Regiment Infantry, and served west of the Mississippi River until the close of the war, participating in no prominent engagements.