RAMSEY, Ralph Parker: Died 1926

RAMSEY, PORTER, RANARD

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 4/21/2016 at 21:07:29

Obituary of R.P. Ramsey

Ralph Parker Ramsey, son of Thomas Allen and Nancy Jane Ramsey, was born in Marysville, Union Co., Ohio, February 9th, 1849, and died at his home at 3027 Dalton Ave., Los Angeles, California, at 6:45 a.m., Friday, July 23, 1926.

When he was about five years old his parents moved to Salem, Iowa, then in short time to Scotland Co., Missouri. About 1861 the family moved to Van Buren Co., Iowa, where Mr. Ramsey spent the greater part of his life.

He first married to Agnes Porter of Kilbourne, Iowa. She died in Nebraska, June 15, 1872.

October 4, 1876, he was married to Sarah Jane Ranard who passed away some three years ago. To them three children were born, Edwin F. Ramsey of 1407 Wright Street, Los Angeles, California; Fanny who died in infancy, and Bertha Grace, (Mrs. Alfred Kenyon) of 3027 Dalton Avenue, Los Angeles, California. Besides his children, he leaves to mourn their loss, a grandchild, Mabel, daughter of Edwin F. Ramsey; his son-in-law, Alfred Kenyon, four brothers also many other relatives and friends.

He served as Sheriff of Van Buren Co. for five years, was a member of W.C. Harper Post No. 79, of Keosauqua, Iowa, Keosauqua Lodge No. 3, I.O.O.F., and of Keosauqua Rebekah Lodge, No. 340, I.O.O.F.

Funeral services were held at the Chapel of the Ruppe Mortuary, 842 So. Figuerva St., Los Angeles, California, and were conducted by Rev. Mills. The casket was draped with the American flag and was banked with floral tributes, from his many good and true friends. Burial was in the family plot, in the I.O.O.F. cemetery on Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles, California. He had accepted Christ as his personal Saviour and was ready and willing to go. Blessed are the dead who died in the Lord.
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Ralph P. Ramsey

(The following letter was written by Mrs. Bertha Ramsey Kenyon, a former Keosauqua girl, daughter of the late R.P. Ramsey. Mr. Ramsey's obituary was published this last week and his many old friends in Van Buren county, who were shocked to hear of his sudden death, will read with interest the details of his departure, which came without warning, as narrated by the daughter's well-written letter.--Eds.)

Los Angeles, Cal.
July 29, 1926

Eds. Republican:

Dear Friends: Am enclosing father's obituary. I thought you would like to know just how his sudden death came about. So I am trying to tell you the sad story:

Father had been failing even since his trip to Iowa two years ago. In fact this might have happened most any time. He failed rapidly the last six weeks but was up and around as usual. He dropped dead just as he finished dressing at 6:45 Friday morning, July 23, 1926. I heard a crash. It sounded like he had fallen stiff just as a tree does when it is cut down, a long moan and then silence. His door was locked and we could not get in. Mr. Kenyon ran to a neighbor's and borrowed his extension ladder and climbed in at the upstairs window. Father was dead, lying flat on his face with his hands straight down by his sides. His coat was beside him. He had evidently just taken it from its hanger when he fell. He had evidently just taken it from its hanger when he fell. He evidently had not the slightest warning as he was beside the bed and just as close as he could be without being under it. We had to move the bed to pick him up. It seems to me if he had known a thing about it he would have tried to save himself by falling on the bed.

I had a queer experience the night befor(e) the funeral. I woke suddenly and was holding myself perfectly stiff and my hands straight down my sides. I felt just as one does when an elevator drops suddently from under him and it seemed as though he said, "that's how it happened." I wonder if he really was trying to tell me? I feel as though such might be the case. Of course we miss him dreadfully but I feel it would be wicked to wish him back. He was so frail and, "so tired, so tired," all the time. He looked so peaceful in death and the years seemed to roll back from him. He often spoke of you people and all his good Iowa friends. I remain,
Your friend,
Bertha Ramsey Kenyon
3027 Dalton Ave.

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book F, Page 288, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA