RAGLAND, Frank
b: Dec 19 1871, Clinton, Henry Co, MO
d: Jul 19 1937, Clinton, Henry Co, MO
bur: Jul 23 1937 Teays Chapel Cemetery, Bear Creek Twp, Henry Co, MO
arr: Wilkinson Funeral Home, Clinton, MO (Historical)

Clinton MO - Judge Frank Ragland, jovial, kindly judge of the south district of the Henry County Court, answered a sudden call to the realms of Eternity at 9:17 Monday night, and slipped from loved ones and neighbors in but 20 minutes from the time he called his wife, saying he was ill. The doctor, arriving shortly before his last breath was drawn, realized the end was near and Judge Ragland gently shook his head saying, "You got here too late, Doc."

Sunday and Monday he had been in his usual good health, having been to the store in the course of the day Monday and Saturday had attended a session of court. His heart was not strong, although he had suffered but one other bad attack, two years before.

His wife, who has been quite ill for some time and for several weeks has not been able to walk, could not go to her husband when he called, but in turn summoned their daughter, who was just outside the house. The Judge had retired but a few minutes before, Mr. and Mrs. Wade Church, next door neighbors, heard the anxious voice and were at his side almost immediately, but death had claimed him and they could but ease the distress of his suffering.

Frank Ragland was born December 19, 1871, at the Ragland home, corner of Third and Jefferson streets, son of R. Ragland, who was the first Democratic Sheriff in the county after the War between the states, and was said to know every man in the county by name, and his wife Laura Gillespie Whitaker.

"Bob" Ragland was a Kentuckian and with his brothers had come to Missouri ten or more years before the war and had homesteaded the old Ragland farm two miles north of Clinton on the Warrensburg road. Mr. Ragland came to Henry County from Monroe County which was also the home of his wife, who had lived at Shelbina. Mr. and Mrs. Ragland moved to Bates County when their son was a small boy and his schooling was received at Smoky Row. Later they moved to the Blakemore farm 4 1/2 miles northeast of Clinton, where his mother had died.

Judge Ragland and Ella Middlecoff were united in marriage, January 10, 1893, and for a time they lived on the Blakemore farm, going back to Bates County for a year and to Duluth, Minn., two years where he was in the fire department. Returning to Missouri, they lived on the Middlecoff farm, near the Land school. Then Mr. Ragland went to a farm near Montrose where his family grew to adulthood, seven splendid sons and two daughters, who enjoyed a family reunion, May 28, the last time they were to have an unbroken family circle. Their first child, a daughter, died in 1894 and the death of Mr. Ragland is the first in the immediate family in 43 years.

Judge Ragland was a member of the M. E. Church, South, belonging at Teays Chapel, where he has always kept his membership and contributed to its support as he was able. Loving the land, he was a successful farmer, learning lessons of thrift and industry.

He was elected Judge of the south district of the County Court in 1927. He then moved to Clinton to make his home and continued in office six terms, where he has exercised a wise and balanced judgment, generous and kindly to all who came before him and his coworkers. He lent a sympathetic ear to any plea and favored it if possible, honest and fair, a man of fine integrity.

Judge Ragland was a Democrat of the most definite stamp. He had no criticism to offer for any act of his party and gave it his hearty support and loyalty. Indeed so loyal was his nature that anything to which he belonged or which was his, had his hearty endorsement and approval. His church, his party, his lodge, his family.

He had a great understanding and fondness for little children, especially his own to whom he had always been a good and indulgent father and his two grandsons he loved devotedly. He radiated the happiness of a gentle nature and never spoke hasty or unkind words that hurt or wounded others.

Judge Ragland was ever interested in the affairs of the day, reading the papers and discussing current topics with those he met. He found time to make a garden every season and this year had a particularly fine one. He loved flowers and and their care was a form of recreation. He kept the plants that were sent them on Easter, Mother's Day, birthdays or anniversaries and watched and encouraged their blooming with real horticultural skill.

Judge Ragland is survived by his wife, daughters, Mrs. Scott Carter of Los Angeles, and Miss Mary Ragland of the home; sons, Walter of Empire, Cal.; Calvin, Robert and Baker of Deepwater, Howard of northeast of Clinton, John of Cole Camp, Ernest of Filer, Idaho, who is en route to Clinton, one brother, Ernest of Springfield, MO., one sister, Mrs. Anna Wyatt of Lewis Station, and an only uncle, D. B. Ragland, of Chalybeate Springs, last of the pioneer family.

The funeral will be conducted Friday at Teays Chapel. The Wilkinson Funeral service is in charge.