family of elkin reed ragsdale and bettie nichols

ELKIN REED RAGSDALE was born January 20, 1859 in Shelby County, Alabama, and died February 07, 1941 in Collinsville, Grayson County, Texas. He is buried in the Collinsville Cemetery. Collinsville, Grayson County, Texas. He married (1) BETTIE NICHOLS before 1883 probably in Collinsville, Grayson County, Texas, daughter of A.F. NICHOLS and MARTHA GRIFFITH. She was born January 17, 1863 in Wingo, Kentucky, and died June 08, 1891 in Collinsville, Grayson County, Texas. She is buried in the Collinsville Cemetery, Collinsville, Grayson County, Texas. He married (2) MOLLIE NICHOLS 1892 in Collinsville, Grayson County, Texas, daughter of A.F. NICHOLS and MARTHA GRIFFITH. She was born October 06, 1865 in Wingo, Kentucky, and died March 21, 1941 in Collinsville, Grayson County, Texas. She is buried in the Collinsville Cemetery, Collinsville, Grayson County, Texas.

Notes for ELKIN REED RAGSDALE:

FROM LEST WE FORGET - A HISTORY OF COLLINSVILLE, GRAYSON COUNTY, TEXAS BY RUTH HENRY, BASED ON INFORMATION FROM THE COLLINSVILLE TIMES, FEBRUARY 18, 1932

E.R. RAGSDALE

Mr. Ragsdale came to Collinsville long before there was a town here. He was born near Mobile, Alabama January 20, 1859, and lived in that place until he was 6 years old. His parents then moved to Louisiana, where they lived two years before coming to this country. His father bought a tract of land a part of which is now the present township of Collinsville, and the family moved into a little log cabin about one quarter of a mile from the present town site on Christmas Day 1869.

He was 10 years old when his parents came to this country. In recalling the early days here, Mr. Ragsdale remembered when this country was infested with outlaws, cow thieves, and other ruffians. He also remembered of many culprits being hanged "on the spot" when found guilty of such a crime. Mr. Ragsdale was married January 7, 1883 here in Collinsville to Miss Bettie Nichols and after her death in 1891, he married her sister Mollie Nichols in 1892. These ladies were the daughters of A.F. and Martha Nichols. Mr. Ragsdale is the father of four children, one girl Eula, married to Van Pearce and Rupert, married to Edna Harbison, Erlin, married Miss Bess Moore, and Herman L., who lives here in Collinsville, and is also a businessman.

Mr. Ragsdale recalled the days Governor Murray lived here and remembers "Alfalfa Bill" as a boy. He also remembers the parents of the Governor.

HERMAN SELDON RAGSDALE was born about 1867 in Louisiana, and died about 1951 in Collinsville, Grayson County, Texas. He is buried in the Collinsville Cemetery, Collinsville, Grayson County, Texas . He married LAURA ANN MURRAY, daughter of C. MURRAY. She was born June 16, 1873 in Kentucky, and died about 1961 in Collinsville, Grayson County, Texas. She is buried in the Collinsville Cemetery, Collinsville, Grayson County, Texas.

Notes for HERMAN SELDON RAGSDALE:

FROM LEST WE FORGET - A HISTORY OF COLLINSVILLE, GRAYSON COUNTY, TEXAS BY RUTH HENRY FROM THE COLLINSVILLE TIMES, FEBRUARY 18, 1932

THE FIRST BUSINESS IN TOADSUCK 1871

Mrs. Nannie Ragsdale Sanders sends along a picture of the first business building. Standing in front of the store, reading from left to right: Seldon Ragsdale, Mr. Gray, Tom Hudspeth, Joe Doughty, Bob Hudspeth. The justice court was held on the south side of this building which faces west. The old building pictured was used for both dry goods and groceries, serving as a general store.

Tom Hudspeth was salesman. His father, who was known as Uncle George came to this section of the country, bringing his wife and a large family. At that time there was plenty of free grass and water, and Mr. Hudspeth had some cattle, horses and sheep. In order to give employment to his sons, he operated this store as a sideline, going to Jefferson for supplies, according to Mrs. Sanders.

He built a wooden house a few hundred yards east of the store. He hauled lumber from Jefferson saw mills. It was rough lumber, dressed by planes and saws, and was hauled in covered wagons as everything was transported in those days. It was difficult to keep the dry goods from becoming soiled, Mrs. Sanders relates. "One time they bought so much Morenta plaid for the store that it was too hard to sell, but having a large family to dress we finally used it all ourselves in time." she says. "People lived well in those days" she tells. "There were plenty of wild turkeys in the cross timber, and deer were plentiful." "We had four dogs, " she says. "On one special occasion that I recall, one of the dogs, Tinker, was killed on a deer hunt. Mr. Ragsdale shot a big buck, and a stray bullet hit Tinker, a dog which belonged to Nancy Sanders." "People had plenty of fat cattle and ran killing clubs. They took their turns in killing and dividing. And of course, fruit was plentiful, but people started orchards and planted gardens as soon as they could prepare the ground."

The people mentioned above are closely related to the history of Collinsville. Joe Doughty was song leader at church and young people meetings. Tom Hudspeth married Emma Evans and Moulder Ragsdale was mail carrier under Carl Collins as post master. Seldon Ragsdale taught school here and in other places, and is now working in the courthouse in Tishimingo, Oklahoma.

ROBERT ERWIN RAGSDALE was born October 30, 1872 in Texas, and died November 11, 1929 in Collinsville, Grayson County, Texas. He is buried in the Collinsville Cemetery, Collinsville, Grayson County, Texas. He married FRANCES (FANNIE) REYNOLDS September 06, 1895 in Collinsville, Grayson County, Texas. She was born about 1877, and died about 1935.

Notes for ROBERT ERWIN RAGSDALE:

FROM LEST WE FORGET - A HISTORY OF COLLINSVILLE, GRAYSON COUNTY, TEXAS BY RUTH HENRY FROM INFORMATION IN THE COLLINSVILLE TIMES, FEBRUARY 18, 1932

ROBERT ERWIN RAGSDALE

Robert Edwin was born October 30, 1873, the son of S.A. and Jane Ragsdale, about one half mile south of Collinsville on the Al Neathery place. His entire life has been spent in this city where he was looked upon as a most estimable citizen and loyal friend. He had been manager of the telephone system for the past twenty-three years. In addition to keeping up all ends of the general work, he acted as night operator. About four thirty each afternoon, it was his habit to go to hi home, do up the night chores, have supper with his wife and son, and with her, return to the telephone office for the night, going on duty at six o'clock and remaining until seven in the morning. He was most courteous and pleasant with his public. His business life was not confined to this work however. Some years ago, he worked at the Dishman Mill for some time. He was again connected with the Collinsville Post Office and was one of the first mail carriers out of the city. Some twelve years ago he was one of a firm of three men who conducted a first class, well stocked grocery business. With his nephew, Herman Ragsdale and the late F.P. Varley, he helped maintain this business. About four years ago he purchased a small farm west of Collinsville after this store was burned out. He farmed in a small way and raised truck goods to some extent. He was quite enthused over his undertakings and was finding much satisfaction from the labor he expended there.

In 1895 he was married to Miss Fannie Reynolds. To them were born two children, Reynolds, who is still at home; and Vera, who when she was seven years of age was burned to death. When he was a boy, his mother gave to him and to each of her other two sons, Reed and Seldon Ragsdale, a Bible. In the Bible belonging to the deceased was found, after his death, his signature and that of his brother Seldon, under the temperance pledge. He made good his pledge; he never touched strong drink during his entire 56 years. Nor did he in any form use unbecoming language. His was a clean life. Early in youth, he became a member of the Methodist church and in every way tried to live according to the teaching of his God. He was a man of great talk; he was a quiet, observant, agreeable, pleasant man. His good deeds were performed without ceremony, with the doer making no reference to them. Many were his kind and gracious deeds, however, and often has he been a benefactor to those less fortunate than he. He was a member of the Praetorian and the W.O.W. orders. In these he was a loyal, dependable member. Listed among his strongest traits were his faithfulness and dependability. In his every day life these characteristics manifested themselves strongly. Though he did not assume the initiative, he was always willing and glad to support measures for the good of his town, his organizations, his friends and his church. He lived quietly, unassuming and practical - one of the most noble characters that ever lived. He died November 11, 1929. (Fannie died 1935; Reynolds died 1936).