Ramsay, Melissa Catherine (Helphrey) 1854-1920

RAMSAY, HELPHREY, FORBES, APGAR, GILL, GRAY, HOUCK, AILLAUD

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 5/12/2005 at 07:59:15

The Newton Daily News Dec. 11, 1920
FALL PROVES TO BE FATAL
Mrs. W.D. Ramsay Dies at Des Moines Hospital Without Regaining Consciousness

Ramsay, Melissa Catherine (Helphrey)

Word was received in Newton early Saturday morning that Mrs. W.D. Ramsay had died at the Methodist Hospital in Des Moines that morning at 7:30 o'clock without ever having regained consciousness after the accident which caused her death.

While shopping at Brinsmaid's store Tuesday afternoon she slipped and fell down a flight of 6 steps, striking the back of her head on the bottom step and fracturing her skull. She was taken immediately to the hospital and given the most skillful medical aid, but she passed away without ever waking into consciousness. The body will be brought to Newton this afternoon, but no arrangements for the funeral will be made until word has been received from distant relatives.

Mrs. Ramsay's maiden name was Melissa C. Helphrey and she was born in 1854 at Iowa City, Iowa, where her parents, Lewis and Anna Helphrey spent one year after coming here from Ohio. The next year they moved to Newton with their family and very soon moved to a farm near here where the daughter grew to womanhood.

Melissa Helphrey was united in marriage to W.D. Ramsay and they moved to the farm home southwest of Fulton which has, ever since that time, been their home. Four daughters were born to them -- Mrs Stella Forbes, Dodge Center, Minnesota; Mrs. Leona Apgar, Centerville, Iowa; Mrs. Alta Gill, Allerton, Iowa, and Mrs. Lucy Gray, of this city. Mrs. Ramsay is survived by her husband and 4 daughters.

The surviving brothers are John Helphrey, West Concord, Massachusetts, Will Helphrey, Cour d'Alene, Idaho, and L.S. Helphrey of Newton. The sisters who survive are Mrs. Susie Houck, Des Moines, and Mrs. Addie Aillaud, Newton.

Mrs. Ramsay was a member of the Christian Church. She was a splendid wife and mother and dependable friend. Her sudden and sad death is a cause of sorrow to many people of this community.

Originally submitted on Sat Jan 25 01:23:26 2003 by Dee Helphrey Stamper, the1mother@allegan.net