RAGAN, Bradford 1873-1876

RAGAN, GILLEN

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 9/3/2018 at 11:59:40

Ela Ragan, formerly of Turin, and well-known to many of our readers, but now of Postville, Iowa, has had the sad misfortune to lose a bright and promising boy, which carries most poignant grief into the household. the 'Postville Review' under date of December 30th says:

"Neighbor Ragan has had the misfortune to lose his little boy quite suddenly. The little fellow was injured a few days ago by riding down hill on a hand-sled, and on Tuesday his father started with him to Prairie du Chien for medical treatment, but the little sufferer died on the way. He was brought back in the afternoon, and buried on Thursday. The parents have our deepest sympathy in their great and sudden bereavement. The joy of the holiday season is to them a solemn mockery. But may God temper the winds to their lacerated hearts.

"Oh! the bitterness of parting cannot be done away
Until I meet my darling where his feet can never stray;
When I no more am drifting upon the surging tide,
But with him safely landed upon the other side.
Be patient, heart! while waiting to see the shining way,
For the little feet in the shining street can never go astray."

~The Journal and Republican, Lowville, N.Y., January 10, 1877

Note: The 'Woodmansee' cemetery book gives his name as Bradford and dates June 1873 - Dec. 26, 1876. His father Ela is also buried in the Postville cemetery. The 1895 obit of Ela Ragan names his wife as nee Jeannette Gillen. The following news article may be of interest to those researching the Ragan family:

Visiting - Mr. Egbert Ragan and wife of Lewis County N.Y. are visiting their son and family of this place. Mr. Ragan will remain until after the fair. We must confess that we were surprised when we were informed that the subject of this notice was father of E. Ragan, he is from all appearances as young as his on, though our townsman E. Ragan is by no means an old looking man, but his father is 76 years of age, and we are certain that he is one of the most active men of his age we have ever met. We wish our friends a pleasant visit.

~Postville Review, Wednesday, September 2, 1874