George Shubride1 Ramsay
Born: December 11, 1811 in Bridgewater, Susquehanna Co., Pennsylvania2
Died: December 27, 1893 in Jasper Co., Iowa
Buried: Lot 185, plot 3
Lot Owner: C. Holmes, purchased after 1891
Married: Jane E. January 19, 1839 in Pennsylvania3
Children: William, Luther, Sarah "Saddie" Brandow, George Jr., Watson, Esther Nettie, Lucy, Mary Baker
Parents: William Ramsey7
Family Group Sheet: George S. & Jane Ramsay
George Ramsay, Sr.
George Ramsay, Sr. deceased leaves to mourn his loss four sons and three daughters, they are as follows: William R. and Luther of Iowa, and Mrs. Saddie Brands of Ill, in attendance at the funeral held at the house Thursday at 1 p.m. George Ramsay Jr., of Seward, Neb., Watson Ramsay, of Kansas, and Mrs. Nettie Colton, of Ill., and Mrs. Lucy Renrick, also of Ill., were unable to be present at the funeral. Mrs. Wm. Baker died Aug. 1892, and his wife died Aug. 1893; only four months did he have to wait until he joined them on the "Happy Golden Shore." ~ Newton Harold, December 29, 1893.
DIED. - At the residence of his son William Ramsey (sic) near Newton, Jasper Co., Iowa, on December 27th, 1893, George Shubride Ramsey aged 82 years and 16 days. Wm. Ramsey was born in Bridgewater, Susquehanna Co., Penn., Dec. 11th, 1811. His wife died last August at the home of their son William; since which time he has been in very feeble health and often longed to be with her at rest. He was a member of the Eposcopal church, and lived and died in the faith of the Gospel. About one year ago their daughter Mrs. Baker [Mary] died at her home southwest of Newton. The surviving children are Mrs. Lucy Renwick, Highland, Illinois; Mrs. Nettie Colton, Rockford, Illinois; George Ramsey, Seward, Neb.; Watson Ramsey, Hutchinson, Kan.; Mrs. Brandow, William and Luther Ramsey, Newton, Iowa. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. E. C. Brooks, pasor of the M. E. church of Newton who talked from Ecclestactes 8, 8. He was buried by the side of his wife in the Metz cemetery, on Thursday, Dec. 28, 1893.
Gliding o're life's fitful water,
Heavy surges sometimes rolled,
And he sighed for yonder heaven,
For the home-and of the soul.
For the weary pilgrim's home-land.
Where each trobbing care shall cease
And his longings and his yearnings,
Like a wave, he hushed to peace.
~ The Newton Journal, Wednesday, January 3, 1894.
Jane E. (Campbell) Ramsay
Born: April 19, 1820 in Pennsylvania2
Died: August 9, 1893 in Jasper Co., Iowa
Buried: Lot 185, plot 4
Lot Owner: C. Holmes, purchased after 1891
Married: George S. Ramsay January 19, 1839 in Pennsylvania3
Children: William, Luther, Sarah "Saddie" Brandow, George Jr., Watson, Esther Nettie, Lucy, Mary Baker
Parents: Thomas and Mary (Wheeland) Campbell7
Golden Wedding.
After fifty years of married life, father and mother, Geo. S. Ramsay celebrated their union at their pleasant home in Palo alto township, on Thursday, the 19th inst. Sixty-six of their friends joined with them in commemorating the happy event which occurred away back in old Pennsylvania State, a half a century ago, and which has brought them so much of joy and sunshine through all the intervening years. Of their eight children, all were present at this joyous home-coming except their son Watson Ramsay, who is now residing at Wichita, Kansas. The occasion was one long to be remembered, as well by the venerable host and hostess as by the guests whom they so hospitably entertained. The following is a list of the gifts presented to father and mother Ramsay:
A couch and center table, from the children, side lamp, grand children; paper rack, Mr. Geo. Hunter; wash bowl and pitcher, Mrs. McCuen, of Monroe, Iowa; bed spread and towels, Mr. and Mrs. Morrisy; decorated china pitcher, Miss Pangburn; plush wall pocket, Misses Morrisy; dozen desert dishes, cup and saucer, Mrs. Harding; glass fruit dish, china spoon holder, and shaving cup, Mr. and Mrs. McColloms; match safe, Max McColloms; glass fruit dish, Mr. Aillaud; china pitcher, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Helphrey; Turkey Rug, Mrs. Tilsey Helphrey; cabinet holder, Mrs. Pryor; claw tool and hammer, Mr. Pryor; basket of apples, Mrs. Marshall; can of raspberries, Mrs. Rorabaugh; one dollar, Mr. Sims; curtain holder, Mrs. Bettie Sims. Among the refreshments was a choice "bride's cake," sent by Mrs. George Ramsay from Nebraska. ~ Newton Journal, January 30, 1889.
William J. Ramsay
Born: January 18, 1849 in Illinois4
Died: March 9, 1929 in altoona, Polk Co., Iowa
Buried: Lot 185, plot 1
Lot Owner: C. Holmes, purchased after 1891
Married: Melissa Helphrey on June 3, 1875 in Jasper Co., Iowa5
Children: Stella Forbes, Leona, alta, and Lucy Gray
Parents: George and Jane (Campbell) Ramsay
Family Group Sheet: W. J. & Melissa Ramsay
W. J. Ramsay Dies Last Evening
At Daughter's Home
Word has been received here by Miss Marguerite Gray, telling of the death of her grandfather, W. J. Ramsay, who died last evening at the home of his daughter, Mrs. alta Gill in altoona. Mr. Ramsay was 80 years old at the time of his death. He had been ill for the last two weeks and heart failure was given as the cause of his death.
The body will arrive this evening. No funeral arrangements have been made.
Mr. Ramsay is survived by four daughters, Mrs. alta Gill of altoona, Mrs. Estella Forbes of Newton, Mrs. Frank Gray, Jr., of Newton and Mrs. Ben Aggar of Centerville. ~ The Newton Daily News, March 9, 1929.
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W. J. Ramsay
Funeral services for W. J. Ramsay were held this afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Morgan Funeral home and burial was in the Sugar Grove cemetery at Metz. The rites were conducted by the Rev. Paul E. Becker, pastor of the local Christian church assisted by Dr. George C. Williams, pastor of the Congregational church.
Pallbearers were George Baker, Harry Baker, Bert Baker, William Aillaud, Jr., Beryl Helphrey and Earl Helphrey.
Mr. Ramsay died Saturday morning at one o'clock at the home of his daughter in altoona. He was 81 years old at the time of his death. ~ The Newton Daily News, March 11, 1929.
Melissa C. (Helphrey) Ramsay
Born: May 23, 1854 in Iowa City, Johnson Co., Iowa
Died: December 11, 1920, Des Moines, Polk Co., Iowa
Buried: Lot 185, plot 2
Lot Owner: C. Holmes, purchased after 1891
Married: William J. Ramsay June 3, 1875 in Jasper Co., Iowa5
Children: Stella Forbes, Leona, alta, and Lucy Gray
Parents: Lewis and Ann Maria (Koontz) Helphrey
Fall Proves To Be Fatal
Mrs. W. J. Ramsay Dies at Des Moines Hospital Without Regaining Consciousness
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 six 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 Anne 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 four daughters.
The surviving brothers are John Helphrey, West Concord, Massachusetts, Will Helphrey, Coeur 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. ~ The Newton Daily News, December 11, 1920.
Children of W. F. and A. Ramsay
Buried: Lot 58, plot 6
Lot Owner: Watt Ramsey, purchased in 1881
Parents: W. F. and E. A. Fletters Ramsay6
1. Tombstone "E" is incorrect as he is referred to as George S. in all other documents.
2. Obituary of George Ramsay
3. Based on Golden Wedding Anniversary information.
4. 1920 U.S. Census, Palo alto Twp., Jasper Co., Iowa says he was born in Illinois with both parents born in Pennsylvania
5. Jasper Co., Iowa Marriages, Vol 2, page 412
6. Jasper County, Iowa Marriages 1869-1878, page 408. Married on May 22, 1874
7. John Mitchll at Johnfmtc@aol.com