Seeking information on Martha Ann Stevens, born 1842/43 in Switzerland County IN, daughter of Thomas Jefferson Ragan & Phoebe (Phebe) Ragan nee Graham. Married Solomon Stevens, possibly on 10 Nov 1864. Martha Ann was reportedly living in Wells Co Indiana in 1925. "Ragan" sometimes spelled "Reagan".

I have some info that might help. It could be that you are spelling Stevens with a v instead of a ph. Solomon Stephens(not Stevens) was my great-grandfather's brother. He was married to Martha Ann Ragan who was born 1844 in Indiana. They were married 10 NOV 1864 in Tipton Co., Indiana. They had 7 children as follows: 1)Phebe H. Stephens, b. about 1865 in Indiana. 2)Sarah C. Stephens, b. about 1867 in Indiana. 3)Cora D. Stephens, b. 02 APR 1867 in Indiana. 4)Angeline W. Stephens, b. about 1871 in Indiana. 5)Amanda Ellen "Manda" Stephens, b. Feb 1872 in Indiana. 6)Smith Willis Stephens , b.09 MAR 1878 in Indiana. 7)Nathan Albert Stephens, b. 30 JAN 1879 in Indiana. I hope this is the right people. Solomon was a farmer. According to 1910 census, Dwelling 163, District 171, Rock Creek Township, Wells Co., Indiana. Good luck with your search. I hope this was helpful.

Dear Kathy,

Thank you very much! This is indeed the right family and your information is extremely helpful. As you suspected, I did have Stephens with a “v” (Stevens). I have the following information on the family of Martha Ann and Solomon:

Martha (Ann) (1842/43 - btw.1925-31); was living in Wells Co IN in 1925. Married Solomon Stevens (b.1838/39), 10 Nov 1864 [note 1]. Their children were:

Phebe H. (b. 14 Nov 1866, d. 1 Jan 1955) m William Bradburn [note 2]
Cora D. (b.1868/69)
Angeline W. (b.1870/71)
Amanda E. (b.1871/72)
Smith Willis(?) (b.1877/78) m. Rosetta xxxxx [note 3]
Nathan A. (b.1878/79)

[note 1] Information originating from Glen Dickison contained in a 1 Oct 1997 posting by Michael W. Reagan gives their marriage date as 11 Oct 1864. This posting is factually unreliable in other ways.

[note 2] Phoebe H. Stevens married William Bradburn (b. 1 May 1857 in Tipton Co IN, d. 28 Oct 1944 in Wells Co IN) on either 4 or 14 March 1885. Phoebe died in Roanoake IN and is buried in Spider Hill Cemetery, Rockford IN. William Bradburn’s parents were Barney Bradburn and Ann Henry. Phoebe and William Bradburn had children Orvin, Jesse, Clifford, Cecil, and Otis W. (possibly also Elisha). William Bradburn had brother Elisha. William was buried in the Methodist Cemetery, Rockford IN (this is the same cemetery as Spider Hill). Information from Brown Funeral Home via INGenWeb.

[note 3] Smith W[illis?] Stevens appears in the 1910 US Census for Wells Co IN as age 32, consistent with having been born between about May 1877 and April 1878. He had been married to his wife Rosetta for 10 years; she is given in this Census page as 30 years of age. Their children were given as Andrew A., Paul, Solomon S., and Laura A. The very next listing on that Census page gives Solomon H[?] Stevens, age 70, and his wife of 44 years Martha A., age 66.

Your letter is the first I’ve seen the name Sarah C. Stephens.

Martha Ann was the eldest child of Thomas Jefferson Ragan (b. KY probably 13 Jun 1823, d. 18 Jan 1889, bur. Albright Cem near Kokomo IN) and Phoebe Graham (b. 16 Aug 1819, d. 3 Dec 1916, bur. Normanda Cem, Tipton Co IN), married 2 Mar 1843. They lived in Switzerland Co IN before moving north to what is now Tipton Co. in the 1840s. I have some further information.

I am very interested in finding out more about Thomas J. and Phoebe, in particular their exact dates and places of birth, and locating photographs if any.

I have some information for you that might help. Soloman Stephens and Martha A. Regan were my husband's great great grandparents. I am in posession of what we call the Stephens family bible. The following information is what I have pieced together from this bible and census records and vital records.

Soloman Stephens born 14 JUL 1840 in Indiana to William and Nancy A. (Knaion) Stephens (see source 1). Married Martha A. Regan on 10 Nov 1864 in possibly Markle, Huntington, Indiana. Death 24 Aug 1910 in Rock Creek Twp., Wells County, Indiana. Burried at Spider Hill Cemetery, Wells Co. IN. (see source 1)

Martha A. Regan was born on 31 Dec 1844 in Indiana. (see source 2) to Thomas and Pheba (Graham) Regan. Death 21 Sep 1927 in Rock Creek Twp., Wells Co. Indiana. Burried at Spider Hill Cemetery, Wells Co. Indiana. (See source 2)

I have identified 11 children of this couple.

1. Mary Ann Stephens Born 18 Oct 1865 Death 19 Dec 1866

2. Pheba Hannah Stephens Born 14 Nov 1866 Death 01 Jan 1955
was married to William Bradburn

3. Sarah Catherine Stephens Born 11 Dec 1867
Death 26 Nov 1874

4. Cora Dalis Stephens born 20 Apr 1869 Death 30 Apr 1906
married twice to George Braumgarden and James E. Vanmeter

5. Angeline Walker Stephens born 07 Jun 1870
death 09 Aug 1881

6. Amanda Ellen Stephens born 05 Jan 1872
married John Wood on 14 Dec 1893 Death 03 Sep 1923

7. Cass Wilson Stephens Born 09 Mar 1878 Death 25 Aug 1878

8. Smith Willis Stephens born 09 Mar 1878
married Rozetta Lineback (before 1902) Death 22 Feb 1967 in Markle, Wells County, Indiana

9. Nathan Albert Stephens Born 30 Jan 1879 in Tipton County Indiana. Married Margaret May Swing on 01 Nov 1904.
Death 10 Mar 1955 in Huntington, Indiana.
This is my Husband's great grandparents.

10. Eleary Elsie Stephens born 19 Jul 1884 married David Lantis on 15 Oct 1904 Death 1947

11. Sinai Opal Stephens Born 14 Dec 1886 Death 17 Mar 1891

Sources:

1. Death Certificate for Soleman Stephens, Wells County Deaths, Book H-18 page 5, County Health Department, Government Annex, Bluffton, Indiana.

2. Death Certificate for Martha A. Stephens, Wells County Deaths Book H-20 Page 18 County Health department, Government Annex, Bluffton Indiana.

3. 1850 Census Pigeon Twp. Warrick County, Indiana Microcopy 432 Roll 179 page 355 Line 20 Head of Household William Stephens.

4. 1860 Census Pigeon Twp. Warrick Co., Indiana Microcopy 653 Roll 305 page 82 Line 34 Head of Household William Stevens

5. 1870 Census index lists Soloman age 29 in Pigeon Twp., Warrick Co. Indiana. Roll 368 page 613. I have not actullay looked this census up yet.

6. 1880 Census Prairie Twp., Tipton Co. Vol 34 ED 134 Sheet 23 Line 6. Head of household Soloman Stevens with wife Martha and 6 children

7. 1900 Census Prairie Twp. Tipton Co. Indiana SD 9 ED 130 page 231A Sheet 6 line 7.

8. I had not located them in the 1910 census. Thank you to Kathy for this info.

9. 1920 Census Marble pike, Rockcreek Twp., Wells Co. Indiana, Vol 111 page 70 ED 193 Sheet 12A Line 19 Head Martha Stevens Widow age 75 Eneumerated with Andy Stevens her grandson.

I hope this helps. As you can tell I have quite a bit of info on this generation. The next generation back gets a little sketchy, but this is what I have.

Thomas Regan born abt 1825 in Kentucky married Pheba Graham (born abt 1821 in Kentucky (see census sources below)

I have Identified 9 children so far.

1. Martha A. Regan see above.

2, Julian Regan born abt 1845 Indiana

3. Mary A. Regan Born Abt 1848 Indiana

4. Thomas J. Regan born abt 1851 in Indiana

5. Nancy I. Regan born Abt 1852 in Indiana

6. Sarah A. Regan born abt 1854 in Indiana

7. Sabra J. regan b. abt 1857 in Indiana

8. Hannah Regan B. abt 1859 in Indiana

9. James Regan b. abt 1861 in Indiana

Sources:

1. 1860 Census Prairie Twp. Tipton Co. Indiana. Microcopy 653, roll 301, page 172 line 93 head of household Thomas Regan.

2. 1870 Census Normanda post office, prarie twp., Tipton Co. Indiana page 555 Written page 7 line 6. head of household Thomas Regan.


I have more info on the Stephens line though William, Soloman, Nathan and Esty Basil if any one is interested.

Hope this helps,

This is very interesting -- thank you! I can provide a little more information on some of these people.

Martha Ann Ragan was born in Dec 1843 (another source says "1844") in Switzerland County IN. My information did not include the two children who died in infancy, nor their two last children #10 and #11 on your list. The birth and death information I have for their other seven children differs a little from yours:

Phebe H. (b. 14 Nov 1866, d. 1 Jan 1955) m William Bradburn

Sarah C. (b. ca 1867)

Cora D. (b.1868/69; another souce gives "2 April 1867")

Angeline W. (b.1870/71)

Amanda Ellen (b.1871/72; one source gives Feb 1872)

Smith Willis (9 Mar 1878 – 22 Feb 1967) m Rosetta Lineback, 19 Nov 1899

Nathan Albert (30 Jan 1879 -)

The 1880 US Census states that Solomon “Stevens” (husband of Martha) had been born in Indiana, and that both his parents had been born in TN. The Boyd/Duff tree on Genealogy.com gives his birth as July 1839, Centre Twp, Rush Co IN. He was enumerated in Centre Twp, Rush Co IN in the 1850 US Census, and in the 1860 US Census in Liberty Twp, Tipton Co IN. According to the Boyd/Duff tree, he was married to Martha Ann Ragan on 10 Nov 1864 in Tipton, Tipton Co IN and was enumerated in the Liberty Twp, Tipton Co IN US Census of 1870, and in Prairie Twp, Tipton Co IN in the US Censuses of 1880 and 1900. At the time of the US Census of 1910 he was living in Rock Creek Twp, Wells Co IN and died there in 1910. He was buried in the Spider Hill Cemetery. Solomon was a farmer and the 1910 US Census gives his residence as Dwelling 163, District 171, Rock Creek Twp, Wells Co IN.

Martha Ann's parents were Thomas Jefferson Ragan (13 Jun? 1823 - 18 Jan 1889) and Phebe Graham (16 Aug 1819 – 3 Dec 1916). Thomas J and Phebe were married on 2 Mar 1843. They had 10 children:

Martha Ann (Dec 1843 - 1927) m Solomon Stephens

Julia Ann (25 Sept 1845 – 30 Jun 1931) m Pleasant Perrin Cardwell

Mary Ann (18 Dec 1847 - 29 April 1925) m Robert S. Henry

Thomas Franklin (11 Dec 1849 – 9 Dec 1918) m Hester Angeline Bess

Nancy Jane (18 Apr 1851 – 1891) m Harman W. Bess

Sabra Ann (5 Sept 1853 - 13 Dec 1946) m-1 John Edwards, m-2 Thomas Baker

Sarah Jane (18 Sept 1857 – 9 Feb 1889) m William Ellison Davenport

Hannah (15 Dec 1859 – btw.1925-31) m Nathan Baker

James (27 May 1861 – 31 Jan 1939) did not marry

John R., 1862-1863

I'm descended from Thomas Franklin Ragan.

Thomas Jefferson Ragan is buried in Albright Cemetery near Kokomo IN. From dates his headstone, he was b. 13 Jun 1823 and d. 18 Jan 1889); other sources give different DOB and DOD. He was born in KY and moved to Switzerland Co IN after 1840. His parents' names are not known with certainty. He married Phebe Graham on 2 March 1843 in Switzerland Co IN. Information that Martha's father (Phebe's husband) was named William Thomas Ragan is incorrect.

Phebe Graham was born on 16 Aug 1819 and died on 3 Dec 1916. The 1880 US Census gives Phebe Graham's DOB as April 1822, but I believe this to be incorrect. She was born in KY but may have moved to Switzerland Co IN at a very young age. Phebe was first married to Benjamin Lock (or Locke) but he died not long after their marriage. More information is available on Phebe and the Graham family. She is buried in Normanda Cemetery, Tipton Co IN, as are quite a few of her descendants.

I am very, very interested in finding photographs of Thomas Jefferson Ragan, Phebe Graham Ragan and their children including Martha Ann.

With thanks, mark ragan

This is very interesting -- thank you! I can provide a little more information on some of these people.

Martha Ann Ragan was born in Dec 1843 (another source says "1844") in Switzerland County IN. My information about the children of Martha Ann and Solomon Stephens did not include the two children who died in infancy, nor their two last children #10 and #11 on your list. The birth and death information I have for their other seven children differs a little from yours:

Phebe H. (b. 14 Nov 1866, d. 1 Jan 1955) m William Bradburn

Sarah C. (b. ca 1867)

Cora D. (b.1868/69; another souce gives "2 April 1867")

Angeline W. (b.1870/71)

Amanda Ellen (b.1871/72; one source gives Feb 1872)

Smith Willis (9 Mar 1878 – 22 Feb 1967) m Rosetta Lineback, 19 Nov 1899

Nathan Albert (30 Jan 1879 -)

The 1880 US Census states that Solomon “Stevens” (husband of Martha) had been born in Indiana, and that both his parents had been born in TN. The Boyd/Duff tree on Genealogy.com gives his birth as July 1839, Centre Twp, Rush Co IN. He was enumerated in Centre Twp, Rush Co IN in the 1850 US Census, and in the 1860 US Census in Liberty Twp, Tipton Co IN. According to the Boyd/Duff tree, he was married to Martha Ann Ragan on 10 Nov 1864 in Tipton, Tipton Co IN and was enumerated in the Liberty Twp, Tipton Co IN US Census of 1870, and in Prairie Twp, Tipton Co IN in the US Censuses of 1880 and 1900. At the time of the US Census of 1910 he was living in Rock Creek Twp, Wells Co IN and died there in 1910. He was buried in the Spider Hill Cemetery. Solomon was a farmer and the 1910 US Census gives his residence as Dwelling 163, District 171, Rock Creek Twp, Wells Co IN.

Martha Ann's parents were Thomas Jefferson Ragan (13 Jun? 1823 - 18 Jan 1889) and Phebe Graham (16 Aug 1819 – 3 Dec 1916). Thomas J and Phebe were married on 2 Mar 1843. They had 10 children:

Martha Ann (Dec 1843 - 1927) m Solomon Stephens

Julia Ann (25 Sept 1845 – 30 Jun 1931) m Pleasant Perrin Cardwell

Mary Ann (18 Dec 1847 - 29 April 1925) m Robert S. Henry

Thomas Franklin (11 Dec 1849 – 9 Dec 1918) m Hester Angeline Bess

Nancy Jane (18 Apr 1851 – 1891) m Harman W. Bess

Sabra Ann (5 Sept 1853 - 13 Dec 1946) m-1 John Edwards, m-2 Thomas Baker

Sarah Jane (18 Sept 1857 – 9 Feb 1889) m William Ellison Davenport

Hannah (15 Dec 1859 – btw.1925-31) m Nathan Baker

James (27 May 1861 – 31 Jan 1939) did not marry

John R., 1862-1863

I'm descended from Thomas Franklin Ragan.

Thomas Jefferson Ragan is buried in Albright Cemetery near Kokomo IN. From dates his headstone, he was b. 13 Jun 1823 and d. 18 Jan 1889; other sources give different DOB and DOD. He was born in KY and moved to Switzerland Co IN after 1840. His parents' names are not known with certainty. He married Phebe Graham on 2 March 1843 in Switzerland Co IN. Information that Martha's father (Phebe's husband) was named William Thomas Ragan is incorrect.

Phebe Graham was born on 16 Aug 1819 and died on 3 Dec 1916. The 1880 US Census gives Phebe Graham's DOB as April 1822, but I believe this to be incorrect. She was born in KY but may have moved to Switzerland Co IN at a very young age. Phebe was first married to Benjamin Lock (or Locke) but he died not long after their marriage. More information is available on Phebe and the Graham family. She is buried in Normanda Cemetery, Tipton Co IN, as are quite a few of her descendants.

I am very, very interested in finding photographs of Thomas Jefferson Ragan, Phebe Graham Ragan and their children including Martha Ann.

With thanks, mark ragan