Joel was the son of Lewis and Sally Isbell Ragsdale, their third child and he was most likely born in Halifax County, Virginia.

He was the Brother of James, Sally Isbell, Burrell, William Parker, Lewis Jr. and John D. Ragsdale.

He was married to Jain F. Allred on December 24, 1824 in Illinois.

He was the Father of Sally Ann, John W., Lewis, Martha Jane, Mary Margaret, Hannah Rebecca, Absalom M. and Susan Ragsdale.

After the death of his first wife, Joel married Miss Verlinda Wisdom.

He was the Father of Lydia Ann, Eliza A., Lucinda Whitfield, Joel Jr., Albert, Verlinda C., Abraham Lincoln and James Grant Ragsdale.

According to family sources, Wanda Jean Walker Alexander and Dorothy Lorene Stevenson Rush, Joel was involved in the Civil War as an intelligence officer for the North. To protect his family, Ragsdale fled to the dense woods surrounding his home night after night to sleep on bedding that had been died black. Ragsdale's enemies made no attempts to harm his family, but sought after Ragsdale persistently.

Though no formal documentation exists, one of the Ragsdale descendants tells of an ambush in which Ragsdale was wounded. Reportedly after the historic battle at Wilson's Creek, Ragsdale met with a Northern general not far from Ragsdale's home. The two were riding in Ragsdale's buggy, with the general's horse tied behind. They were ambushed, and the general was killed. Joel Ragsdale escaped with a chest wound.

MILITARY SERVICE: 1890 Federal Veterans Schedule.
Missouri, Polk County, Benton Township, S.D.: 4, E.D.: 157, House No.: 70, Family No.: 70, Name of Surviving Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines and Widows: Ragsdale Malinda widow of Ragsdale, Joel, Rank: Private, Company: K, Name of Regiment or Vessel: State: 15, Unit: US RG ..., Date of Enlistment: 6 June 1861, Date of Discharge: 20 Oct 1861, Length of Service: Years: -, Mos: 4, Days: 14. Post-Office: Halfway, MO, Disability Incurred: -, Remarks: -.

Joel died at home of 04 JUL 1883 of Apoplexy he was 77 Years Old.

--------------- ( * ) ---------------

We would like to thank Larry Boyd for taking such great pictures of our families monuments. "Thank You" Larry very much.