The San Angelo press. (San Angelo, Tex.) 1897-1907, 1905-03-09
JOHN II. REAGAN.
Farm Boy, Clerk, Overseer, Pioneer,
Indian Fighter, Lawyer, Jurist,
Soldier, Statesman, Patriot.

Born IN the mountains of Ten
nessee in 1918.
At the age of II managed a
large flour mill and saw mill; at
20 was overseer Of large planta-
ton i'll Mississippi
Came TO Texas in 1899 and To-
Gated at Fort Sam Houston. Vol
INFERRED in the army Of the re-
public and fought the Cherokee
Indians in the battles of July 10
and ~, 1889, on the borders of
Van Iandt and Henderson coun-
ties. Texans commanded by
General Nat Smith, and Chief
Bowles commanded the Indians
and was slain in the fight. Was
commended for gallant service
and rendered lieutenancy in the
regular army of the republic Of
Texas by Governor Burnet.
Appointed deputy surveyor in
1910 and served four years. Be
cam5 tutor in private family
and was elected captain Of u mill
tary company and justice of the
peace.
Pursued band of hostile In
dians in 1871 TO Village Creek
ten miles from Fort Worth. In
dlans escaped
Began the study Of law in 1874
and received license to practice i'm
same year.
In 1916 elected Judge OF the
probate court Of Henderson coun-
ty and lieutenant colonel Of the
state militia.
In lSi7-S elected TO the legisla-
ture and licensed to practice law
in supreme court
In 1852 elected Judge of district
court; resigned to look after pri.
vate business. In 1856 again
elected district judge for II term
of SIX years; resigned the office
IN 1857 to accept nomination and
election to the congress of the
United States Admitted to
practice law III the supreme court
of the United States in same
year
In 1859 reelected TO congress.
In 1860, an advocate Of states
rights. he resigned and returned
to Texas. Elected delegate to
the state constitutional or seces.
sion convention. Elected a dele
gate to the provisional congress
of the Confederate States of
America ut Montgomery, Ala.
In March 1861, appointed
postmaster general of the Con-
federacy by Jefferson Davis. On
resignation of Mr.. Trenholm ne
was made secretary of the treas
ury and discharged the duties of
both offices until the surrender at
Appomatox; Also fought at
Seven Pines, Cold Harbor and be-
fore Richmond.
In 1865, on May 10, was made
prisoner of war with jefferson
DAVIS and staff and his private
secretary.
Declined the military governor
ship of Texas in 1867 and was a
leader of the sorely tried oppo-
nents of OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
baggers and their negro allies.
In 1874 elected to the federal
congress and in the same year
elected a member of the constltu-
tional convention which framed
the present constitution, serving
as chairman of the committe on
judiciary. He served sixteen
years in the lower house of con-
gress
In lSS7 elected to the United
States senate and was the author
of the interstate commerce law.
In 1901 was appointed chair
man of the state board Of rail.
road commissioners by Governor
Hogg and resigned MS seat in the
senate to accept the position.
In 1898 was reappointed com.
missioner by Governor llOgg.
In 1891 became candidate for
the Democratic g u bernato rial
nomination, "the ambition Of his
life" After memorable cam
paign was defeated by Hon Chas
A. Culbarson. Hon. Sam Y, w.
Lanham was also defeated. His
toric convention held in Sam
Jones tabernacle at Dallas.
In 1895 reappointed railroad
commissioner by Governor Gull
berson,
In 1896 commissioners were
made elective and Judge Reagan
was elected for the full term of
six years, beginning in 1897.
In 1903 announced retirement
from political life and returned
to his country home, Fort Sam
Houston" to write memoirs of
his busy life.
In 1904 became an active advo-
cate of the nomination of Alton
II Do rLar op1 Uoa alanta1 a 1ala