My Genealogy Hound

Benjamin B. Reagan was born in Sevier County, East Tennessee, in 1834, and is the youngest child in the family of six born to Timothy and Barbara (Schultz) Reagan, both natives of East Tennessee, and of Irish and German descent, respectively. After the death of his first wife Timothy Reagan married Martha Moore, by whom he had seven children. Timothy Reagan was a farmer and blacksmith, and died at the age of eighty-seven years. At the age of four months Benjamin B. Reagan was brought to Madison County, Mo., by his parents, where he was reared on a farm, receiving a limited education. When twenty years old he was employed to drive an ox team at a furnace, and has filled all the positions from that up to superintendent, there being no work about a foundry that he does not thoroughly understand. From 1854 to 1873 he worked at Pilot Knob Furnace, and in 1875 was employed at the Midland Blast Furnace as receiver of coal, being made wood-boss four years later. In 1881 he was promoted to the position of superintendent, which position he has since ably filled. In 1861 he married Utica Kunkelman, and they have three daughters, viz.: Edith B., Mary M. and Grace E. Mrs. Reagan and the daughters are members of the Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Reagan prefers the conservative policy. He is a Master Mason.