Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-12-23
BIOGRAPHICAL
Personal Sketches OF the Members
OF the FOrIteth General Assembly
OF Tennessee.

F. B RAGLANDN (DEN J,
Senator elect from the Twenty-second
Senatorial district, was born May rs,
1914, on Cape Fear river, Chatham
county, N. C. His grandfather, VIM
Raglaud, emigrated from Virginia and
settled on this river at an early day in
the history of the country. Mr.. Rag
land received such an education as the
old field school.houses afforded at that
time. he married Miss Springfield, Of
Virginia, in his twentieth year, aud in
1885 moved from North Carolina to
Madison county, Tenn, settling near
Denmark, where he engaged in sgrieul-
tursl pursuits. In 1916 he removed from
Madison county to Fayette. In 1850 be
engaged in the mercantile business in
Whittville; in 1852, started another
house in DAuceyville, Haywood county.
This house is still in existence,
under the firm name of f. B.
Rsgland & Co. Is 1861 he de-
feated Charles Lynn, Of Fsyette
county, for the lower House Of the Leg
islature, and was a member in 1872,
and up to the fall of Fort Donelsou.
In 1863 he lost a noble son in the Con.
federste army. In 1870, with a younger
son, he opened a new house at Stanton,
Haywood county, under the style Of
Ragland d Son. In 1871 he removed to
Brownsville, and in tina. year commenced
the wholesale aud retail hardware bust
ness, and the firm exists now as RAglaud
& Kerr. Unexpected to Mr. Raglaud,
the Democrats Of Dyer, Laudsrdale and
Haywood counties, in convention as
sembled at Ripley, nominated him for
State Senator from those counties AID
be was elected By a aattering majority.
He served the people with great ability
and commanded the highest respect
from members of both houses, prospect
i've of party. he was he author of a
bill upon the currency question, which
he advocated With marked zeal and force
Of argument. But so many plans for
settling the tax question had been sub
mi.ted that this ooe, Ike all the rest,
failed. 1t is believed by those best
acquainted with the bill that if passed
it would have maintained the integrity
Of the State credit and afforded to the
taxpayers great relief. 1t is % be hoped
that it's merits will be fairly considered
by the incoming Legislature. Mr.. Rsg-
land was again nominated and elected
to the State Senate this year; and he is
the only member of the last Senate re
turned to his seat. In paying MIN this
deserved compliment the people Of the
district showed their appreciation Of true
worth, combined Nth large experience
aud capacities for usefulness. He is a
self.made, successful man, of mstured
intellect and ideas, and in the very prime
Of a vigorous middle age. Mr.. Ragland
has been very fsvorably spoken Of in
various parts Of the State for Speaker Of
tse Senate. He is em%inently qualified
for the position, and would gil it with
ease, dignity and efficiency. Being the
only member Of the last Senate found 10
bis place, bis uans very naturally and
properly suggests itself.
The vote Of Dyer county in the Ptssi.
Dental election was as follows: For Pres
idsul~Tlldeu, 1903; Hayes. 10 For
Governor-POrter Dem J, 1926; Thomas
dad Dem J, 272. For Congress Ninth
di,triot)-Caldwe!l (Dem.), 1858; Folk
(Rep J, 100. Lauderdale county-Til.
den, 1864; Hayes, Es2; Porter, 1914;
Thomas, $50; Caldwell, 1861; Folk, $50.
Haywood county-Tilden, 1894; Hayes,
3Ols; Porter, 1853; Thomas, 326s; Cald.
well, 1927; Folk, 1911.