Hugh Morris Reagan was born in Willet, Cortland County, New York, on August 30, 1879. He was a son of Michael and Kate Reagan. His father was born in Ireland and his mother was born in New York to Irish parents. He was counted with his family in Willet on the census of 1880, 1892, 1900, 1905, 1910, 1915, and 1920.
At the age of 23, Hugh was Justice of the Peace of Marathon, according to the 1902 Cortland County Directory page shown here:
His election had been announced in the Homer Democrat, February 22, 1901, shown below. He is known to have also served in 1904 and 1905 (Cortland Democrat, Feb. 16, 1906, p. 2), in 1907 (Cortland Democrat, Mar. 8, 1907, p. 7), in 1910 (Cortland Democrat, Feb. 4, 1910, p. 7), in 1912 (Cortland Democrat, Jan. 12, 1912, p. 7).
In March of 1912, Hugh broke his leg (Cortland Democrat, March 8, 1912, p. 6). Later that year, his family reunion was held at the home of Hugh and his sister, Mary. It was reported in the Cortland Democrat, August 23, 1912. Rose Hollenbeck was listed among the friends and neighbors who attended.
In 1913, the Homer Republican reported the following:
When Hugh registered for the World War I draft in 1918, he was described as a tall man with a medium build, light blue eyes, and brown hair.
The following was printed in the Cortland Standard on February 6, 1919:
Hugh attended the Smith-McGinnis family reunion with Rose Ellen Hollenbeck in August of 1919, according to The Cortland Standard news clipping shown below. (McGinnis was Rose's mother's side of the family). Seven months later, Rose and Hugh became the parents of William B. Reagan Hollenbeck Leonard.
After the birth of his son, no record of Hugh is found. The following year, however, in 1921, Rose's father, Jasper Hollenbeck, purchased lots 76 and 77 in Willet from Mary Reagan - possibly Hugh's sister:
Anyone with more information, photos, or other memorabilia or documents pertaining to Hugh and his family, please comment below or contact me.
For more on this family, see the Hollenbeck page or the Leonard page.
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