Ramsey, Nels E. 1860 -

RAMSEY, SHERPING, EGGE, QUALLEY

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 2/26/2014 at 21:20:07

NELS E. RAMSEY

Nels E. Ramsey, a well known agriculturist and worthy native son of Winneshiek county, owns and operates a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 36, Decorah township, which is one of the best improved in the state. His birth occurred in Frankville township in February, 1860, his parents being Elling and Aase (Sherping) Ramsey, both of whom were natives of Norway. The father emigrated to the United States in 1849, locating first in Wisconsin, where he remained until 1851, when he came to Winneshiek county, Iowa Purchasing eighty acres of land in Frankville township, he undertook the task of clearing and improving the property, and as time passed and his financial resources increased, owing to his well directed labor and good management, he extended the boundaries of his farm by additional purchases until it comprised three hundred and sixty acres. In 1893 he put aside the active work of the fields but continued on the farm, living in honorable retirement until the time of his death in September, 1900. He was a pioneer agriculturist whose labors had been a factor in the work of progress and development, and his personal characteristics were such as commanded the respect and esteem of all who knew him. His widow still lives on the home place and has attained the age of eighty-three years.

Nels E. Ramsey was reared and educated in this county, attending the district schools and also pursuing a course of study in Luther College of Decorah. After putting aside his text-books he turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits, cultivating land which he rented from his father for two years, on the expiration of which period he purchased the property, comprising one hundred and sixty acres. It has since remained in his possession and he has been busily engaged in its further cultivation and development to the present time, it being now one of the best improved farms in Iowa. In connection with the production of cereals he devotes considerable attention to live stock, raising one hundred and fifty head of hogs annually. As his financial resources have increased he has extended his interests and is now a stockholder in the Nordness Creamery Company, the Nordness Telephone Company and the Farmers Hog Company of Decorah.

In May. 1886, Mr. Ramsey was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Qualley, a daughter of J. T. and Julia (Egge) Qualley, who are mentioned at greater length on another page of this work in connection with the sketch of Thomas J. Qualley, brother of Mrs. Ramsey. Our subject and his wife have four adopted children, Amelia, John, Leona and May T.

Politically Mr. Ramsey is a stanch republican and has ably served his township in the capacity of assessor for six years and as trustee for four years, lie belongs to Del Norske Selskab and is a faithful and devoted member of the Lutheran church. He has always resided within the borders of Winneshiek county and is well known and highly esteemed as a prosperous, progressive and public-spirited citizen.

Source: History of Winneshiek County, Iowa Vol. II Chicago the S. J. Clark publishing Company 1913

Winneshiek Biographies maintained by Bruce Kuennen.
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