Harry Emmet Ramsey 1868 - 1934

RAMSEY, SOCWELL, EWOLDT

Posted By: Merllene Bendixen (email)
Date: 2/20/2003 at 21:28:28

Harry Emmet Ramsey, son of James H. and Nancy A. Ramsey, was born near Lisbon, Linn county, Iowa, on December 27, 1868, and died at his home in Botna, Shelby county, Iowa, December 30, 1934, being only three days past 66 years of age. He was one of a family of nine children. The parents and six of the brothers and sisters preceded him in death.

When he was only a few weeks old the family moved to Carroll County and settled near where the town of Dedham now stands. When only six or seven years old he lost his sight through a physician’s mistreatment of granulated eyelids. But the loss of sight did not deter him from learning to work, even doing many kinds of farm work.

He received his education at the Iowa State School for the Blind at Vinton. There he also became an expert cornetist as well as a singer of ability. He was an expert broom maker and worked at this trade for 43 years.

In 1891 he was baptized and became a member of the Seventh Day Baptist church at Garwin, Tama county, Iowa, of which he continued a faithful member to the end of his life.

On July 3, 1890, he was married to Miss Ellen W. Socwell of Chillicothe, Ill. To this union were born three children, Charles H. of Botna, Wilford E., deceased, and Mrs. Trella F. Ewoldt of Harlan. Besides his wife and the two children he is survived by eight grandchildren and one brother and sister, also a large number of nephews and nieces.

Honest, industrial and God fearing, he led a happy life in spite of his handicap, everyone being his friend.

There being no church of his own faith near, he and his family attended the United Brethren church in Botna. He had been ailing only four days prior to his death, which was caused by a blood clot in his heart, causing instant death.

The funeral was held at the Ohde funeral home in Manning on Wednesday, January 2, 1935, the sermon being preached by the Rev. E. J. Hough from a text of Mr. Ramsey’s own choosing, :All things work together for good to them who love God.”

Five nephews and a grandson acted as pall bearers and a group of his friends in Botna furnished the music. Burial was made in the Manning cemetery.