118 / 230
TO BOYHOOD FRIENDWHO KNEW HIMAS “DUTCH”
165
●
REAGAN, RONALD. Autograph Letter Signed, “Dutch,” as Governor of
California, to childhood friend Samuel G. Harrod, expressing surprise at the number of
character sketches of himself being given to reporters by old school friends whom he
barely knew, and wondering whether the legislature will get down to business or play
games.
1
/
2
page, 4to, ruled pale yellow paper; receipt date at upper right in red ink, recipient
address at upper left in unknown hand, horizontal fold. (TFC)
Np, circa 12 May 1967
[500/600]
“
Just a line to say thanks for the article. I’m amazed at how many former school mates some of
the journalists are digging up these days. Some I can hardly remember are giving quite detailed
character sketches of me.
“
We’re coming down the stretch out here in the legislative session and will soon know whether
it will be partisan fun & games or business.”
The name “Dutch” was a nickname given to Reagan by his father, who thought the future
president resembled a Dutch boy.
REAGAN FAMILY GENEALOGY
166
●
REAGAN, RONALD. Autograph Letter Signed, “RR,” as Governor, to “Dear
—”
[intended for two recipients: Ruby Reagan Lord and Richard Austin-Cooper], retained
draft, sending new information concerning the Reagan family’s Irish origins. 1
1
/
4
page, 4to,
yellow ruled paper, written on the recto and verso of a single sheet; staple holes at upper
left, secretary’s date and initials written at upper right in red ink. (TFC)
Np, circa 7 June 1967 [secretary’s date]
[700/1,000]
“
. . . I . . . received the first direct information on my Fathers family and it adds some informa-
tion I had never known, for example that he had two sisters in addition to his brother.
“
His father was Michael (middle name unknown) Reagan, born in County Cork Ireland. He
had two sisters Margaret & Mary. Mary was born in the US. Margaret married an Olson
Baldwin. Michael lived in Bennett Iowa & had four children: Katherine, a beautiful girl who
died at age 17 of T.B.,William, who died in the mid-20s, John Edward (my father, died May
21, 1941), and a daughter, who died as a young child.
“
I was correct about Michael & his wife dying when my father was about 3 yrs. of age. His sis-
ter Margaret moved to Fulton Ill. (lived for a time in Prophetstown) and she raised my father.
“
Michaels sister Mary had two children Margaret & Bill Chapman.When Mary died, the
same Aunt Margaret raised her two children also. Mary’s daughter Margaret is the source of this
information but this is all the information she had. . . .”
Reagan’s paternal grandfather, Michael Reagan, was born in Ballyporeen, County Tipperary—
not Cork. The Governor’s opinion was later corrected, and when he visited Ballyporeen as
president in early June of 1984, he said to the press gathered there:“[T]hanks to . . . the efforts
of good people who have dug into the history of a poor immigrant family, I know at last whence
I came.And this has given my soul a new contentment.”
WITH
—
Brief note by his secretary, stating that a copy of the letter is to be sent to each of the
two recipients, Lord and Cooper, and giving the postal address of each. Written on verso of
partly-printed message form. 1 page, oblong 12mo, pale pink paper. Np, circa 7 June 1967.
SIGNED “RONALDWILSON REAGAN”
167
●
REAGAN, RONALD. Complete January 1990 issue of
Friends of Tel Aviv
University
magazine, Signed and Inscribed, “To Rae Wilson / I enjoyed your Sons joke. /
RonaldWilson Reagan.” 4to, printed wrappers; minor smudging to inscription.
Np, nd
[350/500]
The present issue anticipated Tel Aviv University’s conferring of an Honorary Doctorate on
Ronald Reagan in February of 1990.