My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM J. RAMSEY. The farmers of Clark County are generally men of intelligence, good character and enterprise, who manifest their zeal not only in furthering their worldly prosperity but in advancing every worthy cause. They are desirous of bestowing upon their descendants better opportunities than they themselves enjoyed and encourage to the utmost the aspiration of the young toward all that is elevating and progressive. Of this class is the subject of this sketch, who is numbered among the citizens of Madison Township.

The natal day of our subject was September 7, 1 842, and his birthplace the City of Brotherly Love. His parents were Samuel and Catherine (Elliott) Ramsey, who came to Ohio in 1856. Here the father died June 16, 1883; the mother is still living and is now sixty-six years of age. She is a daughter of George Elliott of Philadelphia, formerly from Ireland, who married a Miss Reid. The gentleman of whom we write received his education mainly in his native city which he left at the age of thirteen years. The first few years of his life in this State were devoid of unusual interest, his time being spent very much as was that of other youths. After the breaking out of the Civil War he desired to assist in the preservation of the Union, but was at first refused on account of an injured arm. He finally succeeded in his desire, and becoming a member of the One Hundred and Forty-sixth Infantry went to Fayette County, W. Va., where the command did garrison duty. After having served his term and won his honorable discharge he returned to his home and the duties of civil life.

On December 18, 1866, Mr. Ramsey led to the hymeneal altar Miss Jennie Murray, who for nearly a quarter of a century has shared his joys and sorrows and ever shown herself a loving and devoted wife and mother. She is a daughter of George Murray, one of the old settlers of the county. The young couple settled on the old Murray homestead where she was born. After living there about thirteen years they removed to their present location about a half mile from the village of South Charleston. They have six children: Murray E., George E., Nellie K., Joseph M., Annie Bernice LaFarche, and C. Wilbur.

The oldest son is a physician in South Charleston and now has a fair practice. He was graduated from the High School of South Charleston and afterward took a several years’ course at the Ohio University where he studied civil engineering. He chose the medical profession and after studying with Dr. M. H. Collins, he entered the Medical College of Ohio, at Cincinnati, where, after a three years’ course he was graduated. He had studied hard to obtain his diploma which he did at the age of twenty-one years, being the youngest graduate from the institution up to this time. The second son is also a graduate of the South Charleston schools, and is at present attending Delaware College. He is now in his Sophomore year and will graduate in ‘92. Already he is a fine linguist, having a natural aptitude for the study of languages. Nellie K. will graduate from the South Charleston schools this year and if she keeps her health will also obtain a college education, as she is very ambitious to excel in mental acquirements. Joseph is now fifteen years old and with the younger members of the family is attending school.

Mr. Ramsey has been a member of the School Board for six years and was President of that body five years. In politics he is a thorough Republican. He belongs to Fielding Lodge, No. 192, A. F. & A. M., of South Charleston, of which he has been Worshipful Master several times; he is also a member of Adoniram Chapter at London, this State; and the Palestine Commandery of Knights Templar at Springfield.