THOMAS RAMSEY, a prosperous and prominent agriculturist of Hanover township, is a grandson of Robert Ramsey, who was born in Maryland and there married to Mary Mitchell. Several years before the close of the eighteenth century, with his wife, family and few earthly possessions, he made the long and tedious journey over the mountains, locating on Peters creek, in Washington county, Penn. In 1799 they settled in Hanover township, on the farm which is the present home of their grandson, Thomas. Here they resided during the rest of their lives, and became prosperous. In politics Mr. Ramsey was a stanch Democrat; he was one of the founders of the Seceder Congregation at Kings Creek, of which he was an earnest member and an elder. Six sons and nine daughters were born to these pioneers, of whom the youngest died at the age of thirty-seven years, the first of the children to pass away. All were married excepting Nancy, who died in 1827. The eldest son, James, became a Doctor of Divinity in the Canonsburg Theological Seminary, and for forty years was pastor of the Seceder Church in Canonsburg. Mitchell Ramsey, who was the thirteenth child and youngest son of Robert and Mary (Mitchell) Ramsey, was born in 1797 on Peters creek, Washington county, being but two years of age when his parents came to Hanover township, where he grew to manhood. In 1818 he was married to Anna George, who was born about 1799, near Venice, on Miller's run, in Washington county, Penn. Her father, Robert George, came from Ireland, and her mother was of German descent. The children of Mitchell and Anna Ramsey were as follows: Robert G. (living in Carroll county, Ohio), James (who died in Carroll county, Ohio), Thomas (whose name opens this sketch), Mary (widow of James McGinnis, of Monroe county, Iowa), Christina (Mrs. Alexander George, living in Jefferson county, Ohio), William M. (a blacksmith of Hanover township) and Ann Eliza (wife of W. T. Arnold, of Hanover township ). The parents always lived on the old place, where the father followed farming. He was a prominent member of the Democratic party and held all the offices of the township. He died April 17, 1857, and was buried in Kings Creek cemetery; his widow passed away September 5, 1882, and was laid to rest in Frankfort cemetery. He was a member and elder of the Kings Creek U. P. Church, was a leading farmer, and took an active interest in all measures tending to the public good, being recognized as a most useful, able and progressive citizen.
Thomas Ramsey was born January 22, 1823, on the farm which he yet owns, and the house where he was born is standing as a relic of olden times. He attended the old-fashioned schools of the community, and worked on his father's farm during boyhood. On November 6, 1861, he was married to Jane Slater, a native of Allegheny county, Penn., and daughter of John and Margaret (George) Slater. This wife died August 3, 1864, and was buried in Frankfort cemetery. She left one child, Georgetta, who was but twenty-three days old when her mother died, and is yet living at home. For his second wife Thomas Ramsey married Nannie (Hood) Ackleson, widow of Samuel Ackleson. To this union were born three children, viz.: a son deceased in infancy; Margaret ( who died when three months old); and James P. (deceased when two years of age). The mother died December 19, 1874, and was buried in Frankfort cemetery. After the death of his father, Thomas Ramsey paid off the claims of the other heirs, and took entire charge of the home farm where he is now living. Farming has been his principal vocation. In politics he has been independent, and has held several offices in Hanover township at the wish of his friends. For thirty-five years he has been a leading member and elder in Kings Creek U. P. Congregation. At the age of sixteen he was a member of the Frankfort Congregation.
Text taken from page 1072 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed March 1997 by Neil and Marilyn Morton of Oswego, IL as part of the Beers Project.
Published March 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ [Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]