RAGAN.-- Rev. Elbert S. Ragan died at his home in Lock Springs, Daviess county, Mo., September 3, 1902. Brother Ragan was born in Blount county, Tenn., January 23, 1834; professed religion at Concord camp ground in his fifteenth year, and united with the Shady Grove congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. He came with his parents to Gentry county, Mo., in 1851. In October, 1872, he moved to Lock Springs, where he has since lived. On January 24, 1856, he was married to Miss Nancy Groom. Of this union six children were born--five daughters and a son, all of whom with their mother, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, survive him, his being the first death in the family. He lived to see all his children converted and members of the church of his choice. His son was elected and ordained a ruling elder in the New Design congregation a few years ago. Brother Ragan was received under the care of Chillicothe Presbytery as a candidate for the ministry at the session held at the McCollum schoolhouse in Harrison county, Mo., October 5, 1863, Rev. J. W. French, moderator, and Rev. W. D. Mahan, clerk; was licensed at the session held at Dawn, in Livingston county, Mo., October 3, 1864, Rev. Robert Speer, moderator, and Rev. J. M. Ragan, clerk; and was ordained at the session held at Rush Chapel, in Carroll county, Mo., October 4, 1871, Rev. Thomas Montgomery, moderator, and Rev. J. H. Tharp, clerk. Brother Ragan was perhaps known to more people within the bounds of his presbytery than any other man of his own or any other church. I feel sure that he had preached in every congregation in the presbytery, and had served most of them as pastor. He was an earnest, faithful preacher. No one ever head E. S. Ragan preach who did not believe he was in earnest. His strongest point was in revival work, and he was always in demand for protracted meetings, frequently going beyond the bounds of his own presbytery to assist in such meetings. He was the most popular preach, with the common people, of his presbytery. I do not write this in disparagement of any other member of the presbytery, but simply to emphasize a fact. He had full work at the time of his death. After appropriate services, conducted by Rev. M. R. Dougherty and the writer, his body was laid away in lock Springs cemetery to await the resurrection of the just. Peace to his memory!
S. S. HARDIN.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, September 18, 1902, page 351]

Ordained Ministers Deceased
Name: E. S. Ragan
Occupation: is charge
Presbytery: Chillicothe
Place of Residence: Lock Spring, Mo.
Date: Sept. 3, 1902
Age: 68
[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1903, page 183a]