Thomas Orell Ragan was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on June 2, 1891. Ragan moved to Badin after being employed by the Tallassee Power Company in February 1918. In July 1919, he provided testimony during an investigation into alleged mistreatment and abuses by the Tallassee Power management. Ragan died in Auburndale, Florida on May 26, 1960.