J. Willard Ragsdale

James Willard Ragsdale (December 14, 1872 – July 23, 1919) was a U.S. Representative from South Carolina.

James Willard Ragsdale
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 6th district
In office March 4, 1913 – July 23, 1919
Preceded by	J. Edwin Ellerbe
Succeeded by	Philip H. Stoll
Member of the South Carolina Senate
In office 1902–1904
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives
In office 1899–1900
Personal details
Born	(1872-12-14)December 14, 1872 Timmonsville, South Carolina
Died	July 23, 1919(1919-07-23) (aged 46) Washington, D.C.
Resting place	Florence, South Carolina
Political party	Democratic
Alma mater	University of South Carolina
Profession	lawyer, politician

Born in Timmonsville, South Carolina, Ragsdale attended the public schools. He was employed in a railroad office at Wilmington, North Carolina, for several years. He attended the University of South Carolina at Columbia. He studied law. He was admitted to the bar in 1898 and commenced practice in Florence, South Carolina. He engaged in agricultural pursuits and banking. Trustee of the South Carolina Industrial School. He served as member of the State house of representatives 1899-1900. He served as member of the State senate 1902-1904. He was an unsuccessful candidate for attorney general of South Carolina and for election in 1910 to the Sixty-second Congress.

Ragsdale was elected as a Democrat to the Sixty-third and to the three succeeding Congresses and served from March 4, 1913, until his death in Washington, D.C., July 23, 1919. He was interred in Mount Hope Cemetery, Florence, South Carolina.

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