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GARFIELD
COUNTY, COGENWEB PROJECT
Raymond Reigan
Raymond Christopher Reigan (aka RC), was
born in Dodgeville, Wisconsin July 14, 1899. He was to
become one of the best known businessmen in Rifle.
Raymond spent his childhood and attended school in
Dodgevile. He attended automotive electronics school in
Chicago. After completion of schooling, he came to Rifle by
train arriving February 6, 1920.
Raymond and his brother
Clarence bought Roy's Garage in late 1919 or early 1920
depending on which source you use. This garage is the one
Elmer Graham owned and was south across 2nd from the Rifle
House. Elmer built the brick garage in 1915, after first
operating out of a frame building. Elmer sold out, and the
garage changed hands a couple times before it became Roy's
Garage. Still tracking that.
Anyway, the brothers renamed
their business Star Auto Company. Together they sold Nash
cars, operated a car taxi service to Meeker, and rebuilt 12
volt batteries.
Clarence drove a Nash touring car up
from Grand Junction May 6, 1920. Raymond personally drove a
Nash in from Pueblo over Cottonwood pass June 3, 1920. He
got stuck in the mud and had to camp out overnight before
making it on into Rifle.
January 3, 1923, Raymond married
Mayme Beryl Mefford in Rifle in a Catholic ceremony. Mayme
was originally from Missouri, was 3 years younger than
Raymond, her birthday being December 12, 1902. They resided
at 634 East Avenue. That year was quite something for them
as they bought out his brother Clarence, and also acquired
the Chevrolet agency. The new business was named Reigan
Motor Company. Also, their daughter Betty Lou was born
October 7, 1923, in Rifle.
In 1931, Raymond built a new
auto facility on the SE corner of 3rd and West Avenue (139
W. 3rd), and moved his dealership there. In 1949, he took
over the Cadillac dealership in Rifle.
Raymond's
daughter Betty married Chester Burgess Jr in 1949 in Rifle.
Chester had served in WWII and Korea. He followed that in
1948 going to work as general manager of Reigan Motors. He
continued as GM until 1959, or approximately when the
business was sold. By 1962 Chester and Betty had moved to
Virginia where Chester became a professor at VMI.
Raymond
and Mayme owned and operated the dealership for 40 years
until retiring and selling to the Mallets in 1960. Records
show Raymond was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. He
was also a charter member of the Moose Lodge, kind of a
natural since it was across the street from his business. He
was also an Elks member, maybe a charter member. Records
also show he was the last surviving founder of the First
National Bank and had served as vice president on the board
of directors for many years. Raymond passed away January 6,
1987. Mayme passed away November 7 the same year.
Elbert
and Winifred Mallet then operated the business for 13 years.
After some time, it was moved to a new building north of
Rifle. Winifred kept the books. They sold the business in
1973. Elbert passed away February 25, 2004 at the age of 92.
Winifred passed away July 30, 2015 at the age of 98. She and
Elbert were married in 1937 in Mancos.
Kelley Meyer
formerly of St. Llouis, purchased the dealership June 15,
1973 from the Malletts and moved the business back to 139
West Third.
                              
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