Ramsey, James Hanford (1825-1900)

RAMSEY, RICHEY, THOMPSON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 3/5/2003 at 20:34:44

James Hanford Ramsey was born in Chester County, Penn., September 17, 1825. He died in Gray, Audubon County, Iowa, March 14, 1900, aged 74 years 5 months and 27 days.

While he was a young man he went to Ohio where he made his home for a number of years. On March 5, 1853, he was married to Miss Nancy Richey of Osceola, Crawford County, Ohio.

About ten years later they moved to Linn county, Iowa, where they lived a number of years. Later on they moved to Carroll county, Iowa, making their home at Dedham, where they have lived for the past thirty-one years. To them were born ten children, seven of whom are living and six of them were present at the time of his death, the oldest son, living in Oklahoma, was not able to come.

He was a quiet man, never having much to say, but had strong convictions of right from wrong. Nothing ever persuaded him to say or do what he considered to be wrong. He was a man with a clean character. He was always a good, kind husband and father. The wife and children have nothing to remember but kind, loving words and deeds. He was always an industrious, hard working man, even after the loss of his good right hand. Never being willing to have others do for him when he was at able to do for himself.

A year ago last September he had a stroke of paralysis from which he never recovered. He became able to be around the house for a while, but lat April he took to his bed and has been able to sit up only a short time since then. For several months he has been able to be up only long enough at a time to arrange his bed. Last fall he expressed a desire to come to Gray to stay with his daughter, Mrs. Thompson. His wish was granted and he bravely bore the fatigue of the long ride.

He has gradually failed since cold weather set in. The last month of his life he failed very rapidly. All through his sickness he, at times, has been a great sufferer. The past few weeks his sufferings have been great, but through it all he has been so patient and bore his pain so quietly that only those who had the care of him can al all realize what he passed through. He never mad a complaint until his sufferings became so intense that they could not be borne in silence. But at last he fell asleep only to awaken beyond all pain and suffering. He was a member of the Methodist church, and in his death the church has lost a good member. The neighbors have lost a kind, good friend and the family has lost a husband and father whose only fault was that he was too kind and indulgent. But while they mourn their loss they rejoice that he has lot nothing, but has gained everything. “Asleep in Jesus blessed sleep.”

Card of Thanks – We desire to thank those who so kindly assisted us during the recent illness and death of our beloved husband and father. Mrs. Ramsey and Family

(Clipping from unidentified newspaper; collection of Alta Ramsey Andre)