"THE RISE OF RONALD REAGAN"

NOTE: This information has been transcribed ver batim as written. However, there are several inaccuracies.

- By Bill Boyarsky Born in Tampico on Feb. 6, 1911 in a five room flat above the H. C. Pitney General store where his father sold shoes.(This is incorrect. He was born on the east side of Main Street, above what was then a Bakery, and later became the First Nat'l Bank. The Pitney Store was across the street and where Jack Reagan worked as a shoe salesman)

His father, John Edward Reagan once commented that his son looked "like a fat Dutchman." The name stuck and he was "Dutch" to his friends ever since. When Neil, 2 years old, was brought in to see the baby, he wouldn't look at him. His parents had promised Neil a sister. Soon after Dutch was born, the family moved from the flat to a house. Mother-a devout Protestant of Scottish-English descent. Father-Irish Catholic who distressed his religious wife by periodic drink- ing binges. Dutch attended Eureka College-in his senior year, he arranged an athletic scholarship and part-time job for Neil to attend College too.

When Dutch was 2, Jack moved his family to south side of Chicago. They lived there 2 years and then moved to Galesburg-3 years there. Then to Mon- mouth for 2 years. Then back to Tampico for 1 year. Eight years old and going to school in Tampico.

When Dutch was 9, the family moved to Dixon. Pitney furnished the money to set up a high greatity shoe store with Jack Reagan doing the work. Dutch lived in Dixon from 9 to 21 years of age. For sev- en summers he earned money by working as a life guard at Lowell Park. During the seven years or seasons, he pulled 77 people from the water.

This is the "good life" to the guy who was born in Tampi- co, Illinois, February 6, 1912,(He was born in 1911) grew up in Dixon, Illinois and who at various stages before he hit Hollywood, was a football player, summer resort lifeguard, and well known radio an- nouncer. From the radio announcing job led to the screen and, except for a stint in the Army where he held the rank of Captain, he's been making movies ever since.

Some more about Ronald Reagan's biography, his edu- cation, besides his public schooling in Tampico, Monmouth, Galesburg and Dixon, he received a degree in Economics and Sociology, at Eureka College in 1932; Honorary Doctorate, Humane Letters, Eureka College, in 1957; Honorary Doctor- ate of Laws, Pepperdine College, 1970; worked his way through college-waited tables, washed dishes, taught swim- ming, lifeguarded; president, Student Body; Varsity Foot- ball, three years; captain of swimming team.

Many public services were held by Reagan, President of Screen Actors Guild, six terms; President of motion picture Industry Council, two years; Board of Directors, Screen Ac- tors Guild, 14 years; represented motion picture industry (31 unions and all management groups) before House Ways and Means Committee of Congress on tax matters affecting in- dustry; member, Board of Directors, Committee on Funda- mental Education; member, Board of Directors, St. John's Hospital; served on Board of Trustees, Eureka College; re- ceived Humanitarian Award, National Conference of Chris- tians and Jews, 1962; chosen Father of the Year (motion pic- ture industry) by National Fathers Day Committee, 1957.

Ronald had memberships in the Bel Air Presbyterian Church; Screen Actors Guild; American Federation, Radio and Television Artists; Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity; Fri- ars Club; Lions Club; California Thoroughbred Breeders As- sociation; Young Men's Christian Association; Republican Governor's Association, chairman, 1969; National Advisory Board, Young Americans for Freedom.