Ramsay - J.W.
Source: Montgomery County, Indiana H.W. Beckwith History (Chicago:
HH Hill, 1881) p 221
J.W. Ramsay, Mayor of
Crawfordsville, was born June 2, 1839 in Montgomery Co, Indiana. His father,
Robert M. Ramsay was born, in Ky, 1804 became a brick mason and afterward a
merchant at Parkersburg, then Russellville, and is now pork packer. He came to
Indiana in an early day and settled near Portland Mills, Putnam County, and
afterward settled in Montgomery Co, his residence now being Crawfordsville. The
mother of the subject of this sketch, Mavina S. (Harris) Ramsay, was b. in
Tenn. Her grandfather was a captain in the revolutionary war. The Ramsays are
of Scotch descent. JW Ramsay was schooled at Waveland Academy, then Wabash
College, and afterward studied law with Hon. Henry S. Lane and Col. Wilson for
two years, from 1859 to 1861. April 14, 1861, on the Sunday evening after the
American flag was insulted at Ft. Sumter, he enlisted in the 11th Ind,
Wallace's Zouaves, served 3 months, was then made adjutant in the 51st Ind; in
which position he served two years, and was then detailed as assistant adjutant
general to Gen. Harker's staff, in which capacity he served to the end of the
war. His Union principles were tried and proven in the battles of Romney,
Kelley's Island, Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Franklin, Hall's Gap
and others. At Shiloh he was severely wounded, and still suffers from its
effects. At Appomattox Ct. House he was discharged, at the close of the war,
and returned to his home at Crawfordsville. Soon after returning he was elected
j.p. for which office his knowledge of law well fitted him. He was continued as
such till 1876, when he was elected may of Crawfordsville, and reelected in
1878. When he assumed the responsibilities of his office he found the city with
a debt of over $20,000. Under his official supervision this debt has been
entirely liquidated, new streets opened and other improvements made and the
city is more prosperous than ever before. He is now negotiating with different
parties for a system of waterworks. He has always been active in the republican
ranks, a prominent citizen, and has made his own mark in life. He is a member
of the knights of Pythias Society, and a Good Templar. In the latter lodge he
was grand worthy sec. for two terms, and represented the state of Indiana in
the Right worthy Grand Lodge at Michigan in 1879. On Oct 7, 1872, Mr. Ramsay
was married to Miss Alice RICE, daughter of Mrs. Mary Rice of Crawfordsville. –
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