William Reason Reagan went to Texas in 1849 and settled first in RedRi ver County. There he attended McKinney College. After leaving thatinst itution, he taught school for two years at Marlin, Falls County.During h is spare time, he studied law and in 1857 was admitted to thebar. He o pened an office and practiced law. In 1874, he romoved toReagan, a sma ll town named for him. In 1880, he moved to Georgetownwhere he lived u ntil his death.
During the Civil War, he first enlisted in the 13th Cavalry, but in186 2, was appointed enrolling officer for Falls County. While the warwas i n progress, he was entrusted with an important mission toRichmond, Vir ginia in the interest of the Postal service of theConfederacy.
In 1865, he was elected judge of Falls County.
'The Waco Examiner' records an episoded that took place during thereco nstruction days in the State of Texas:
'Judge Reagan, from Falls County, was arrested on the 5th inst., onthe s quare, and carried to the military camp. The following are theparticul ar: The Judge was suspected of having thrown a brick-bat intothe milit ary camp, and upon this suspicion was arrested by thesoldiers, and lib erated shortly after his arrest. The Judge againappeared on the square a rmed, and the Sheriff, Mr. Morris,interpreting his demonstration as ho stile, arrested him again, andupon which he was taken by the U.S. sold iers in the custody at theircamps.'
Source: 'Smoky Mountain Clans', Donald B. Reagan, 1978, p 9, 13. 'TheB ook of Ragan/Reagan', Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 47, 58, 59.
