EARLY DAYS IN GREENBUSH

Bailey Ragon was born in Ross county, Ohio, August 7, 1813. He was a son of Eli and Rebecca Ragon. In 1825, his parents moved to the north part of Ohio, where in 1833, Bailey Ragon commenced the study of medicine under Dr. J. Lang. He afterwards studied under Dr. George W. Sampson. He commenced the practice of medicine in July 1837.

He was united in marriage with Miss Huldah Mather, January 14, 1837. She was born April 5, 1818, and was a daughter of Horace and Huldah (Smith) Mather. He died August 2, 1825. His wife, Huldah, was born in February, 1786, and died in 1836.

Dr. Ragon came to Greenbush, Illinois, in 1842, where he practiced medicine until 1844, when he moved to Nurina, Indiana. In 1846, he returned to Greenbush. In 1855, he attended lectures at Rush Medical College, where he graduated in 1856. For over forty years he was engaged in the practice of his profession.

He was engaged in the mercantile business in the early days in Greenbush, and in after years he again engaged in the same line of business. In 1858, he owned and operated a large grist and sawmill at Greenbush, Illinois, which burned down in September of that yar.

In 1861, he moved to St. Augustine, Illinois, where he was engaged in the mercantile business. In the spring of 1863, he moved to Avon, Illinois, where he resided until the fall of 1864, when he moved to Roseville, Illinois, where he spent his last years. He died January 20, 1895.

To Dr. Ragon and wife eight children were born. The three first, Rebecca, Lucy, and Mary, died in infancy; those living are: Sarah Ann, George W., Bina, Julia V., and Emma. George W. married May Hasting, July 13, 1898. Bina married George W. Baldwin, February 27, 1878. Julia V. married Cary J. Boyd, November 27, 1872.

Dr. Ragon was a member of the Masonic fraternity. In politics he was a republican. In religion he was a member of the Universalist church.