Biography - George Ramsey
GEORGE J. RAMSEY. The subject of the present sketch is a member of the firm of Ramsey & Austin, dealers in hardware, queensware, glassware, stoves and ranges, located near the corner of State and Ryder Streets, where he has been in business for the past five years. He is well known in commercial circles in Litchfield.
The subject of this notice was born in Mifflin County, Pa., September 17, 1849, and is the son of William H. and Mary (Rarer) Ramsey. The occupation of the father was that of a carpenter, but the tastes and abilities of the son did not he in the same direction. The latter obtained his education in the schools of Lewistown, Pa., and when he completed his studies there he began to think of the future. The advice of Horace Greeley to the young man to go West and grow up with the country has had an effect upon the future of many of the youth of the country, and may have had something to do with the destiny of Mr. Ramsey. He came West and located in Harvel, in this county. He left his parents in Pennsylvania, where they still reside, and faced the future with not a very large bank account behind him.
Mr. Ramsey located in Harvel in 1875 and went into the drug business, which his industry, combined with a pleasant personality, made lucrative. He devoted his time entirely to drugs for about seven years, when, as the place grew, he added a large stock of hardware and connected the two lines. He managed thus for about three years when an opportunity came for him to sell, and in 1887 he sold out this business entirely and moved to Litchfield. He there formed the present partnership with Edward Austin, and established the business which the firm has since made so successful. Before leaving Harvel, Mr. Ramsey had to part with appreciative fellow-citizens, who had honored him with the offices of President of the Town Board and Township Clerk.
Our subject was united in marriage to Miss Laura T. Austin, of this place, who is the daughter of E. K. Austin, an old and respected pioneer. The marriage took place November 5, 1879, and two children have been added to the household, Stella and Retta. Mrs. Ramsey is a native of Mississippi, and her father came to this county very many years ago, and occupies a fine farm two miles out of town.
Mr. Ramsey does not concern himself at present about politics. He has many business interests now that require his time and attention. He is a stockholder in a threshing machine company, and also in the First National Bank ever since its organization. Socially, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, and is a man who takes a deep interest in matters of improvement. He has earned all of his possessions by his own exertions, having always been energetic and industrious.
Extracted 12 Jan 2017 by Norma Hass from 1892 Portrait and Biographical Record of Montgomery and Bond Counties, Illinois, page 485.
