Shaver, F. A., Arthur P. Rose, R. F. Steele, and A. E. Adams, compilers.  "An
Illustrated History of Central Oregon." ("Embracing Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam,
Wheeler, Crook, Lake, & Klamath Counties")  Spokane, WA: Western Historical
Publishing Co., 1905.  p. 511.
 
WILLIAM H. RAGSDALE

     attorney at law and member of the law firm of Hosford & Ragsdale, Moro,
Sherman county, was born in Missouri, January 25, 1872, the son of Christopher
C. and Mary L. (Hampton) Ragsdale, who are mentioned in this volume in the
biographical sketch of Commodore P. Ragsdale.  At present the mother resides in
the house adjoining that of our subject.
     The latter was reared in Sherman county since attaining the age of ten
years.  Here he attended the public schools, laying the foundation of an
excellent education, and subsequently was matriculated in the State Normal
School at Monmouth, from which he graduated in 1896.  Until June, 1898, he
taught school, and was then elected by the Republicans county superintendent of
instruction, and re-elected in 1900, receiving handsome majorities at each
election.  In 1899 he began reading law with J. B. Hosford, who had practiced in
Moro for a number of years.  December 23, 1898, he formed a partial partnership
with Mr. Hosford, and in 1901 they were full partners.  Mr. Hosford opened an
office in Portland in 1904.
     At the residence of the bride's parents, Sherman county, October 20, 1900,
our subject was united in marriage to Lida H. Belchel, a native of Oregon, born
at McMinnville, Yamhill county.  Her parents were Charles H. and Mary (Sink)
Belchel.  Her mother is a sister of George Sink, mentioned elsewhere.  Mrs.
Ragsdale has one brother and six sisters; George, living at Woodland,
California, where his parents also reside; Ella, wife of Warren Myers, of
Woodland; Jennie, wife of J. B. Morrison, also of Woodland; Maud, wife of Thomas
Collins, of Collins, California; Evalyn, Vera and Mary, all single.  Mr. and
Mrs. Ragsdale have one child, Evalyn R., aged twenty months.
     The fraternal affiliations of our subject are with Moro Lodge No. 113,
I.O.O.F., and A.O.U.W., No. 64, of Moro, of which he is past master workman.
Mrs. Ragsdale is a member of the United Presbyterian church.
     Mr. Ragsdale is a member of the city council, and was a delegate to the
last county Republican convention.  During the Civil war his father enlisted in
the Second Kansas Cavalry, in 1862, serving until the close of the war.  He was
mustered out at New Orleans, having been in active service from the date of his
enlistment.  Our subject is one of the promising and rising young men of the
state.  He has recently completed a handsome two-story and a half house, Queen
Anne style of architecture, on an eligible site overlooking the town of Moro.


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Submitted to the Oregon Bios. Project in January 2007 by Diana Smith.  Submitter
has no additional information about the person(s) or family mentioned above.