John Reagan

REAGAN

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 3/20/2009 at 00:42:03

John Reagan, who is residing on Sec 19, Yell township was one of the first settlers in this part of Boone county and is now actively identified with agricultural pursuits. He was born in Clinton county, Iowa. May 28, 1866 and is a son of John Reagan who was the third settler in Beaver township, Boone county, locating there in 1867. He was born in Ireland and in an early day came to America finding here excellent business opportunities which he improved. After taking up his abode in this county he carried on agricultural pursuits in Beaver township until about three years prior to his death which occurred in 1898. His widow still survives him and is now living in Ogden.
John Reagan of this review was about a year old when he came to Boone county and amid the wild scenes of frontier life he was reared, experiencing the hardships and trails which constitute the lot of those who seek to develop the wild land in frontier districts. As time passed however all of the improvements and accessories known to the older east were brought to the west and the Reagan family kept pace with the onward march of progress. In the common schools the subject of this review pursued his studies and under the parental roof he remained until his marriage assisting his father in the operation of the home farm. As a companion and helpmate for life’s journey he chose Emma Engleen of Boone county a daughter of Charles Engleen a farmer who resided in Marcy township but is now deceased. After his marriage Mr Reagan removed to his present farm on Sec 19, Yell township, where he has 67 acres of good land. Here he is carrying on general farming and stock raising. As the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well. He had no assistance when he started out n business life, but he and his estimable wife have worked together and today a good farm is the result of their labors. In politics Mr Reagan is a Democrat and always votes for the men and measures of the party. He and his wife hold membership in the Catholic church of Ogden. He remembers Boone county when much of its land was wild, the work of improvement having yet been hardly begun. As the years passed however the prairies were transformed into rich fields, good homes were builded and the evidences of the advance of civilization were everywhere seen. Mr Reagan has taken a deep interest in the development of the country and has co-operated in measures for the general good and at the same time has given close and earnest attention to his business affairs.

1902 Boone County History Book