Transcribed from Goodspeed’s History of  Tennessee from the Earliest Time to the Present; Together with an Historical and a Biographical Sketches of from Twenty-Five to Thirty Counties of East Tennessee, Besides a Valuable Fund of Notes, Original Observations, Reminiscences, etc., etc. (Chicago and Nashville:  The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1887), pp. 962-987.  See footnote below for on-line access.

A. A. RAGSDALE, register of Bradley County, was born August 27, 1848, in East Tennessee, a son of Gabriel and Miriam (ALEXANDER) RAGSDALE. Both parents were natives of East Tennessee. The father received a classical education, and taught school a number of years. He learned the silversmith’s trade, at which he worked some time. His first wife died in 1853. She was the mother of one son and one daughter. Later Mr. RAGSDALE married Elizabeth S. RUSSELL, by whom he had three sons and two daughters. His death occurred in 1873. The son of his first marriage, our subject, was raised on a farm, receiving but limited educational advantages. After reaching manhood he learned photography. He was a merchant at Chatata ten years, and kept the first drug store in that place. He is to some extent interested in agriculture. In 1886 he was elected to his present position, the duties of which he has faithfully discharged. He is a Republican and a Mason. In 1871 he married Lucy BRYAN, who bore him one daughter, now deceased. In 1873 his wife died, and the following year he wedded Mrs. Sallie G. PARKS, nee TAYLOR. By this union are four sons. Mr. and Mrs. RAGSDALE are active and consistent members of the Methodist Church.

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This biography was transcribed by Sherry Pollard. We thank her for transcribing all the Goodspeed’s biographical sketches.

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