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(NOTE: James W. Reagan probably never had his portrait taken prior to the Civil War and during the 2 and 1/2 months he was in Nashville with the 86th, he spent much of that time in the hospital and may never have given any thought as to sit for a portrait. However, if he did, that portrait would have come in the form of what was called a "tin type", or, more often, printed in the form of what was called a CDV. A CDV was a paper picture glued to a heavier card stock about the size...
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(NOTE: James W. Reagan probably never had his portrait taken prior to the Civil War and during the 2 and 1/2 months he was in Nashville with the 86th, he spent much of that time in the hospital and may never have given any thought as to sit for a portrait. However, if he did, that portrait would have come in the form of what was called a "tin type", or, more often, printed in the form of what was called a CDV. A CDV was a paper picture glued to a heavier card stock about the size of a modern day baseball card, and the soldiers didn't just have one or two copies made. Most of the time, they had a dozen or more made, so they could swap pictures with their tentmates, messmates and for their friends, in the 86th and back home.
Then James survived the war and just lived into the 20th century. During his life, James probably had his picture taken dozens of times. I would dearly love to see a copy of whatever he had taken while he was in Nashville added to his Find A Grave site for all with an interest to see. Until then, I would thrilled to see some other pictures of him added to his Find A Grave Memorial, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)
Private JAMES W. REAGAN, Co. E, 86th Illinois
James W. Reagan was born on March 28, 1841 in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, the son of James M. Reagan, who was a veteran of the War of 1812, and Rachel (Shafer) Reagan. James M. Reagan was born on March 16, 1794 in Pennsylvania. James M. Reagan was first married to T. E. Mirlin, who died sometime before 1830. James was then married 2nd about 1830 to Rachel Shafer, who was born on January 15, 1808 in Pennsylvania.
#___________ children were born to James and Rachel, including;
1. Miriam Reagan Bates (1833 - 1915)
2. Weldon Reagan, born c. 1835/36 in Pennsylvania.
3. David S. Reagan, born c. 1837 in Pennsylvania. Died c. 1914.
4. William S. Reagan (1840 - 1913)
5. James W Reagan (1841 - 1900)
6. Tilghman Strickler Reagan (1843 - 1920)
7. Walker E. Reagan (1844 - 1863)
8. Matthew Reagan (1847 - 1916)
9. Mary Elizabeth Reagan, born c. 1848/49 in Pennsylvania.
10 Sarah E. Reagan, born c. 1863/64 in Illinois.
At the time of the 1850 census, the Reagan family is found in Tyrone, Fayette County, Pennsylvania;
James Reagan M 54 Pennsylvania
Rachel Reagan F 40 Pennsylvania
Miriam Reagan F 17 Pennsylvania
Weldon Reagan M 14 Pennsylvania
David Reagan M 13 Pennsylvania
William Reagan M 10 Pennsylvania
James W Reagan M 9 Pennsylvania
Tilman Reagan M 6 Pennsylvania
Walker E Reagan M 2 Pennsylvania
Mary Elizabeth Reagan F 1 Pennsylvania
Mathew Reagan M 3 Pennsylvania
The Reagan family moved from Fayette County, Pennsylvania west to Illinois about 1853. They are believed to have settled briefly in or near Stark County, Illinois. In 1856, the Reagan family moved on west to Iowa, where James Reagan had a Land Warrant for his service in the War of 1812. The family settled in Clear Creek Township in Jasper County, Iowa. At the time of the 1860 census, the Reagan family is found in Clear Creek Township, Jasper County, Iowa;
Jas Reagan M 63 Pa
Rachel Reagan F 51 Pa
Wm Reagan M 20 Pa
James Reagan M 19 Pa
Filman S Reagan M 17 Pa
Walker Reagan M 15 Pa
Matthew Reagan M 13 Pa
Mary E Reagan F 11 Pa
Sarah E Reagan F 6 Ill
Shortly after this census was taken, however, at least James W. Reagan and his brother, Tilghman S. Reagan, are believed to have returned to Stark County.
Rachel (Shaffer) Reagan died on June 7, 1872, Rachel (Shafer) Reagan died on June 7, 1867,possibly of a heart attack after witnessing a runaway team and wagon turn over with one of her sons on it. Her mortal remains were laid in the Ashton Chapel and Cemetery in Mingo, Jasper County, Iowa. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 44287085. James M. Reagan died on June 7, 1879 in Jasper County, Iowa. His mortal remains were laid beside those of his beloved, Rachel. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 44287051.
Now to continue with the biography of James W. Reagan;
On August 15, 1862, James W. Reagan and Tilghman S. Reagan both volunteered to serve in a company which was being raised in Marshall, Stark and Bureau Counties by a local by a local well known farmer by the name of Orlando Fountain for service in the Union Army during the Civil War. At the time they enlisted, James and Tilghman gave their place of residence as Penn Township, Stark County, Illinois and they were both farming for a living. Neither was married at this time.
ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES
Illinois Civil War Detail Report
Name REAGAN, JAMES W Rank PVT
Company E Unit 86 IL US INF
Personal Characteristics
Residence PENN, STARK CO, IL
Age 21 Height 5' 11 Hair BLACK
Eyes HAZEL Complexion DARK
Marital Status SINGLE Occupation FARMER
Nativity FAYETTE CO, PA
Service Record
Joined When AUG 15, 1862
Joined Where PENN, IL
Joined By Whom O FOUNTAIN
Period 3 YRS Muster In AUG 27, 1862
Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom
Muster Out
Muster Out Where
Muster Out By Whom
Remarks DISCHARGED JAN 26, 1863 AT NASHVILLE TENN
When Fountain had about 100 volunteers, he led the company on a march into Peoria, Illinois, where they went into camp at Camp Lyon, near present day Glen Oak Park. On August 27, 1862, Fountain and 88 of his volunteers, including now Privates James W. Reagan and Tilghman S. Reagan, were mustered in as Co. E of the 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Fountain was elected by the men of Co. E.
On September 7, 1862, the men of the 86th Illinois marched out of the gates of Camp Lyon, with much fanfare, through the streets of Peoria to the railroad depot. There they were joined by the men of the 85th Illinois, who had been mustered into service at Camp Peoria. Together, at the depot, they boarded trains bound for Camp Joe Holt in Jeffersonville, Indiana, located across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. Three weeks later the men of the 85th & 86th Illinois were in the field in Kentucky as part of Colonel Daniel McCook's Brigade in pursuit of Confederate troops.
On Oct. 8, 1862, the men of McCook's Brigade were engaged with those Confederate troops in the Battle of Perryville, Kentucky, suffering their first casualties. There would be many more in the next few years. After the Battle of Perryville, the Confederate troops withdrew from Kentucky and the men of McCook's Brigade marched on to Nashville, Tennessee, where they would go into winter camp.
During that first winter in the field, diseases and sicknesses took a terrible toll on these green troops. Private James W. Reagan is known to have become quite ill during December of 1862 and January of 1863. Family legend has it that he had a serious case of the Measles and that this illness caused him heart problems later in life. Whatever his illness, the Army felt at this time, he was not healthy enough to continue service in the Army so on January 26, 1863, Private James W. Reagan was discharged from the service and sent home. James is believed to have returned to Illinois to whatever family was there at that time, where he did regain at least some of his health. Private Tilghman S. Reagan served on with the men of Co. E, seeing service in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and North Carolina, participating in numerus battles and skirmishes and marched with "Sherman to the Sea." At the close of the war, Private Tilghman S. Reagan was mustered out of the service on June 6, 1865 in Washington City, (now D.C.) and returned to his home in Illinois. Tilghman, however, did not remain long in Illinois as before the year was out he was residing in Story County, Iowa.
James W. Reagan and Tilghman S. Reagan both married in late 1865. James was married to Jennie C. Carr on December 30, 1865 in DeKalb County, Illinois and shortly afterward, left Illinois, to join the rest of the Reagan family in Iowa. They may have resided shortly in Polk County, Iowa, where their oldest son, Frank, was apparently born, but, they are believed to have moved on to Story County shortly afterward, where Tilghman and his new bride had taken up residence.
At least seven children are known to have been born to James W. & Jennie L. (Carr) Reagan. They are;
1. Frances W. "Frank" Reagan, born April __, 1867 in Polk County, Iowa according to his marriage record. Frank W. Reagan was married to Lottie M. Thompson (1864 - 1945) on October 19, 1892 in Creston, Union County, Iowa. Lottie was born c. 1867 in Union County, Iowa, the daughter of Nathiel Thompson and Sarah (Shepherd) Thompson.
At the time of the 1900 census, Frank and his family are found in Afton, Union Township, Union County, Iowa;
Frank W Reagan Head M 33 Iowa
Lottie M Reagan Wife F 36 Iowa
Clinton M Miller Boarder M 28 Iowa
R D Culmer Boarder M 20 Illinois
Sadie G Reagan Sister F 22 Iowa
Frank W. Reagan died on ___________ __, 1948 and his mortal remains were laid in the Mount Hope Cemetery in Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas. See his Find A Grave Memorial# 92408996.
2. Anna B. "Annie" Reagan, born c. January __, 1873 in Iowa. Anna was married to Arthur G. Smith on December 30, 1896 in Union County, Iowa. Arthur was born c. 1865 in Kansas, the son of G. W. Smith and __________ Bartlett. At the time of the 1900 census, the Annie and her family are found in Dodge & Union Townships (excl. Afton town), Union County, Iowa. She has already had two children;
A G Smith Head M 26 Kansas
Anna Smith Wife F Jan 1873 27 Iowa
Clarence Smith Son M Apr 1898 2 Iowa
Infant Smith Son M May 1900 0 Iowa
3. Rosa Alice Reagan, born c. 1875 in Iowa
4. Sarah Grace "Sadie" Reagan, born ___________ __, 1877/8 in Iowa. Sadie was married to Harry L. Allen on November 18, 1902 in Afton, Union County, Iowa. Harry was born c. 18__ the son of Calvin L Allen and Louisa Byfield.
Sadie died on ____________ __, 1956 and her mortal remains were laid in the Mount Hope Cemetery in Topeka, Shawnee County, Kansas. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 92710833.
5. Mae W. Reagan, born November 22, 1880 in Story County, Iowa. Mae Reagan was married to William C. Powers on July 3, 1902 in Afton, Union County, Iowa. William was born in Illinois the son of James W. Powers and Sarah Law.
Mae W. (Reagan) Powers died on May 2, 1961 in Los Angeles County, California and her mortal remains were laid in the Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills), Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California. See her Find A Grave Memorial# 85928853.
6. Mary A. Reagan, born c. 1882/83 in Iowa. Her marriage states she was born in Nebraska. Mary was married to Ray L. Cornelius on February 26, 1901 in Afton, Union County, Iowa. Ray L. Cornelius was born in Missouri, the son of L. C. Cornelius and Maggie Wright. One son was born to Ray and Mary before Ray L. Cornelius died sometime before 1910;
A. James Gerald Cornelius, born July 31, 1902 in Afton, Union County, Iowa. James G. Cornelius appears to have migrated to Honolulu, Honolulu, Hawaii in either 1924 or 1928 on the ship Wilhelmina. Nothing more is known about him at this time.
At the time of the 1910 census, Mary (Reagan) Cornelius is found, widowed, in Red Oak Ward 1, Montgomery, Iowa, living with her mother;
Jennie Ragan Head F 65 Illinois
Irene Ragan Daughter F 24 Nebraska
Mary Cornelius Daughter F 27 Nebraska
Gerald Cornelius Grandson M 7 Iowa
It is not known what became of Mary (Reagan) Cornelius.
7. E_________ Irene Reagan, born c. 1885/86 in Iowa. Irene was married to Jordan Clapper on May 1, 1917 in Mills County, Iowa. Jordon was born c. 18__, the son of John O Clapper and Mary Ellen Jordan. Irene and Jordon are known to have had at least two children;
A. D________ John Clapper, born c. 1918 in Iowa.
B. Wilma Jean Clapper, born August 16, 1919 in Shenandoah, Page County, Iowa.
At the time of the 1920 census, the Clappers are found in Shenandoah Ward 1, Page County, Iowa;
Jordan Clapper Head M 27 Ohio
Irene Clapper Wife F 32 Nebraska
D John Clapper Son M 2 Iowa
Welma Clapper Daughter F 0 Iowa
Jennie Ragan Mother-in-law F 75 Illinois
Nothing more is known about the Clapper family at this time.
Now to continue with the biography of the James W. Reagan and Jennie L. (Carr) Reagan and their family;
At the time of the 1870 census, the Reagans are found in ____________ County, Iowa;
J W Reagan M 29 Pennsylvania
Jennie Reagan F 25 Illinois
Frances Reagan M 3 Iowa
James Snook M 14 Ohio
At the time of the 1880 census, James, Jennie and their family are found in Collins, Story County, Iowa, where he is farming;
James Reagan Self M 39 Pennsylvania
Jennie Reagan Wife F 36 Illinois
Frank Reagan Son M 13 Iowa
Annie Reagan Daughter F 8 Iowa
Rosa Alice Reagan Daughter F 5 Iowa
Sarah Grace Reagan Daughter F 2 Iowa
In the 1880's or 1890's. James and Jennie are believed to have moved to Union County, Iowa, where they probably resided near Afton. At the time of the 1895 Iowa State Census, the Reagans are found in Union County, Iowa;
James Reagan M 53
Jennie Reagan F 50
Anna Reagan F 21
Sadie Reagan F 17
May Reagan F 14
Mary Reagan F 12
Irene Reagan F 9
George Baker M 14
Private James W. Reagan died on January 31, 1900 and his earthly remains were laid to rest in the Greenlawn Cemetery in Afton, Iowa in Union County. At the time of the 1910 census, Jennie is found living in Red Oak Ward 1, Montgomery, Iowa with her widowed daughter, Mary, her daughter, Irene, and Mary's son, Gerald;
Jennie Ragan Head F 65 Illinois
Irene Ragan Daughter F 24 Nebraska
Mary Cornelius Daughter F 27 Nebraska
Gerald Cornelius Grandson M 7 Iowa
As seen above, Jennie lived on well in the 1900's. At the time of the 1920 census, Jennie Reagan (spelled Ragan) is found living with her youngest daughter, Irene, and her family in Page County, Iowa. It is not known when Jennie C. (Carr) Reagan died or where her mortal remains were laid.
Bio by: Baxter Fite
(Baxter would enjoy hearing from anyone, especially descendants of the Reagan family, who might be able to add to the biographical material that we have on James Reagan and the Regan family. Baxter would also love to see copies of any photographs of of James W. Reagan, which have survived the years, added to his Find A Grave Memorial for all to see. He can be contacted at [email protected]) |
