Dr. Albert B. Reagan (1871-1936)

REAGAN, REESE, BATES, HURLEY

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 5/17/2021 at 16:53:11

From Nevada Evening Journal June 18, 1936 (page 3)

Sketch of Life of Indian Research Workers in Utah

Collins, June 16--The Evening Herald of Provo, Utah, gives the following short sketch of the life of Dr. Albert B. Reagan, noted Indian life research worker who passed away May 30 at a hospital in Provo, Utah, and who was buried in the Peoria cemetery after funeral services at Maxwell, his childhood home, June 5.

Dr. Albert B. Reagan, special professor of anthropology at the Brigham Young university since 1934, know as enethnologist and research worker in Indian life and culture, died at the Airo hospital, Saturday night, following an illness of several months' duration. A kidney ailment was the immediate cause of death. Early in January of this year he went to Hot Springs, Ark., on the advice of physicians. He failed to obtain any improvement and returned to Provo a few weeks ago. Funeral services for Dr. Reagan were conducted Tuesday at 1:30 p. m., at the Community church under the direction of Rev E. F. Irwin, assisted by President F. S. Harris and members of the Brigham Young university.

Following the services the body accompanied by the widow, Mrs. Otella Reagan, was taken to Peoria, Iowa, for interment.

Dr. Reagan and his wife had made many friends during their short stay in Prove, coming here from Ouray and Vernal, where he had been employed in the Indian service. Dr. Reagan was held in high esteem for his scholarly attainments. he was known for his research work into Indian relics and picture writings and his writings of Indian legends, some of which were published a few months ago as "The Sun God," "Moccasin Tales," "Food Myths of the Indians."

Dr. Reagan had won many honors among men of science for his research work. He was a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and claimed membership in more than a score of other learned societies. Apart from his professional connections he was a member of the Christian church.

He was born on a farm near Maxwell, Iowa, on January 33, 1871, the son of William Simpson and Annie Emily Reagan. He taught school for several years, continuing his education to obtain his B. S. and M. A. degrees at the University of Indiana, between 1899 and 1904. He won the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the Leland Stanford Junior university in 1925. He became connected with the C. S. Indian service in 1899, retiring inn June, 1834, after service in various capacities. The last eight years of his service he lived at Ouray reservation. He was an untiring worker and prolific writer, the author of 547 titles which have been published under his name, many of them having been published in foreign language journals.

On June 15, 1903, Dr. Reagan married Otilia Adelaide Reese who survives him. Other surviving are two brothers, Herman C. Reagan, Kansas City, and George W. Reagan of Missouri, two sisters, Mrs. C. A. Bates, Salina, Kansas and Mrs. Rhoda Hurley, Holley, Colorado. Relatives from Collins who attended the funeral services were Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Carver, Mrs. D. V. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Holmes; Mr. and Mrs. Vern Holmes, Mr. Sherm Bates and Ms. Alice Woten.