Ramsay, Peter E. 1874 -

RAMSAY, SKERPING, ARNESS, PRASTMARK, NESS, LYNNE

Posted By: Bill Waters (email)
Date: 2/26/2014 at 21:42:49

PETER E. RAMSAY

Peter E. Ramsay, the owner of the Old Homestead Farm of two hundred and sixty acres lying on sections 4 and 5; Frankville township, is numbered among Winneshiek county's most successful farmers and most able and progressive native sons, his birth having occurred on the property which he now operates on the 29th of March, 1874. He is a son of Elling and Aase (Skerping) Ramsay, natives of Norway, who went to Wisconsin at an early date and came from that state to Winneshiek county in 1858. Here the father purchased land, buying two hundred and thirty acres on sections 4 and 5. Frankville township, and he continued active in the improvement and development of this line farm until his death, which occurred when he was seventy-five years of age. His wife survives him and makes her home with the subject of this review. She is a member of the Lutheran church, to which her husband also belonged. In their family were thirteen children, of whom six survive: Nels, of Decorah township; Butler, who resides in Decorah: Peter E., of this review; Gunhilda, the wife of Lewis Arness, of Frankville township; Martha, the wife of Henry Prastmark, of Detroit. Minnesota; and Lizzie, who married Henry Ness, of Decorah.

Peter E. Ramsay was reared under the parental roof and in the district schools of his native section acquired his education. From his childhood he was familiar with farm work, having aided his father with the operation of the homestead, and before he was twenty-one he was a progressive and able agriculturist. He now owns the old farm of two hundred and thirty acres and has added to it an additional thirty, all of the property being in a high state of cultivation. His father made substantial improvements upon it and the son has kept the buildings in good repair and ably carried forward the work begun in pioneer times. He owns also one hundred and sixty-one acres in the vicinity of Detroit, Minnesota, and this he has given over to the charge of the state, which is operating there a model farm.

In 1901 Mr. Ramsay was united in marriage to Miss Millie Lynne, who was born in Glenwood township. February 23, 1883, a daughter of Edward and Katherine Lynne, of Decorah. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsay have five children. Elling. Thelma, Aaron. Margery and Peter.

Mr. Ramsay affiliated with the republican party until 1912, in which year he joined the ranks of the progressives. He has rendered his township excellent service in various capacities, serving as trustee for twelve years and PS treasurer of Independent school district No. 7. He is interested in the cause of education and in addition to his work as treasurer has served for several years on the school board. In the section where he was born and where his entire life has been spent he holds the esteem and high regard of all who are associated with him, and his management of the Old Homestead Farm has given him a place among the township's progressive and successful agriculturists.

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