My Genealogy Hound

William Ramsey, farmer, Batesville. Nowhere within the limits of Independence County can there be found a man who takes greater interest in its agricultural and stock affairs than Mr. Ramsey, or who strives continually to promote and advance these interests to a higher plane. He has a native pride in this county, for he was born here, and it is but natural that he should strive to see all its matters placed on a footing equal, if not superior, to the affairs of other counties in the State. He is the son of Allen D. and Helen F. (Slater) Ramsey, and the grandson of William Ramsey, who settled in what is now Independence County, Ark., in about 1819, when there were but few settlers in this country. He was a farmer by occupation, and died in Independence County. During his early residence in this county he underwent many hardships, and had many stirring adventures. He was sheriff of Independence County at one time. Allen D. Ramsey was born on the place where the family now resides, and there passed almost his entire life. Perhaps few men in North Arkansas, aside from those in professional or political life, were better known. He was educated near Alexandria, Va., and was possessed of a high order of intelligence. He was an honored, influential and exemplary citizen. He died December 31, 1878. The mother is still living, and is a native of North Carolina. Her parents were natives of Scotland, and came to the United States at an early day. Her mother came to Arkansas, and located at Batesville. To Mr. and Mrs. Allen Ramsey were born five children, three now living: Margaret, William and Maria. The two deceased were Mary, married George Weaver, who is also deceased, and left one child, Allen R. Weaver, who makes his home with the subject of this sketch, and David. William Ramsey (subject) was born and reared on the farm where he now lives. Being reared to the arduous duties of the farm, he has always followed this calling, and has made a complete success of the same. The family now own 1,050 acres of land, with about 325 acres under cultivation, and the principal productions are corn, cotton and hay. Mr. Ramsey also raises some stock. He is an enterprising young man and a first-class farmer. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, and his mother and family are members of the same. When the Ramsey family first settled in Independence County, Indians were here, and all kinds of wild game abounded. The now fine and productive river bottoms where then a dense canebrake. One incident that the father used to relate to his children was that, when the first steamboat came up the river that had a whistle, it roused everyone from their slumbers, and the people were very much frightened. The great grandfather of the subject of this sketch, at a very early date, lived in Kentucky, where he met with experiences worthy of record. On one occasion, while in the hay field, in company with a hired man, a party of Indians came upon them unaware. The hired man started to run, but was killed by the savages. Mr. Ramsey’s great-grandfather was taken prisoner, and kept as such for a long time, finally being sold to some French traders for a pair of blankets. He was then so far from home, that the only way to return in safety, and avoid being recaptured, was to cross the ocean to France and back again, which he did. He at last made his way to his family, who had mourned him as dead, after an absence of three years.