U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: ------------------------------------------------------------------- Reger, Abram (1795-1886) ------------------------------------------------------------------- The History of Upshur County West Virginia From its Earliest Exploration and Settlement to the Present Time by W. B. Cutright Buckhannon, W. Va., July 1, 1907 Data for the following sketch was discovered among the miscellaneous manuscripts of the Rev. John W. Reger, D. D., and to his cherished memory, it is affectionately dedicated. L. A. E. R. H., February 5, 1907. Page 546, MAJOR ABRAM REGER. Abram Reger was born September 13, 1795. His father was John Reger, Sr., and his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth West. In 1814, Abram Reger married Leah Brake, who was born March 5, 1795, and died March 8, 1835. She was a daughter of Jacob Brake, who for fourteen years was a prisoner among the Indians. Jacob was the son of John Brake, whose home was on the South Fork of the Wappatomaka, near which Jacob's mother was killed by the Indians. Just here the writer would introduce a pen portrait of Leah Brake Reger, which was written many years ago by her oldest son, the Rev. John W. Reger, "Her face was most delicately formed, with all its features in perfect harmony, and the whole overspread with a sensitive sincerity, which was at once pleasing and captivating. Her eyes were blue gray, large and expressive, her hair rich and flowing, and dark as the raven's wing." No mother was ever more tenderly loved than this one of the "long, long ago." Major Abram Reger, the subject of this sketch, inherited the characteristics of his hardy ancestors, the powerful physique, the cool, steady and determined courage, and a never failing trust in the God of his fathers. As they, so was he, a champion in all the sports of the period, and an exceptionally fine marksman. In the war of 1812, he served as First Lieutenant, in his uncle, Captain John Bozarth's company, Virginia militia. After which, he was addressed as Major, whether "Brevetted" or only as a compliment, is unknown and immaterial. During the years immediately preceding the Civil war, Abram Reger, with his second wife, whose maiden name was Permelia Rohrbough, and their children, emigrated to Illinois. Soon after the death of his wife, he returned to his native state. To the time of his departure he retained unimpaired all his mental faculties, which with his rich store of reminiscences, rendered him a most unique and interesting character. Until very near the end, he could go alone wherever he chose, either walking or driving. When only a lad he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and through all the vicissitudes of his long and eventful life the Christian's faith and hope had been his. At the home of his eldest son, the Rev. John W. Reger, surrounded by all that the tenderest love could provide, on August 14, 1886, he met death with a calm and quiet resignation as one who knew the gates of Heaven were but the portals of immortality. Abram Reger's children: Rev. John W. Reger, married Rebecca A. Brown. Major Albert Reger, married Mary Seay. Abram Reger, married Elizabeth McCoy. Jacob Reger, married Phoebe Ccol. Cecelia Reger, married George Simons. Elizabeth Reger, married George Pickens. Rebecca Reger. married Thomas Seay. Rev. Alfred A. Reger, married Frances Ludington. Leah Reger, married Stephen Post. Second wife's children: Perry Reger, married ______ Eliza Reger, married ______ Jeff. Barbary Reger, married ______ Williams. Marietta Reger, married ______ Dix. Marcellus Reger, ______ Dallas Reger. ------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Upshur County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/upshur/bios.html -------------------------------------------------------------------