From A Biographical History of Central Kansas, Vol. I, p. 511
published by The Lewis Publishing Co, Chicago & New York, 1902

JAMES M. RAMSEY 

   James M. Ramsey, a retired farmer residing in Sterling, was born in Preble county, Ohio, July 9, 1831.  His father, David Ramsey, is now nearly ninety years of age and makes his home in Fairhaven, Ohio.  He married Miss Mary Marshall, who died about 1841, leaving five children, but only two of the number are yet living, namely:  James M and the youngest child, Joseph Ramsey, who is now living in Morning Sun, Ohio.

  The subject of this review was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist.  He also received a common-school education.  In 1864 he responded to his country’s call for troops, enlisting in the One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Ohio Infantry, with which he remained for five months.  In the meantime he had married the lady of his choice, Miss Martha J Gilmore, who was born in Preble county, Ohio, in 1835, a daughter of Samuel B and Margaret (McMecham) Gilmore, both of whom are now deceased.  The father died in 1836, leaving to care of his widow their four children, of whom only two are now living, the brother of Mrs Ramsey being James I Gilmore, who is living near Campbellsville, Kentucky.  The marriage of Mr and Mrs Ramsey was celebrated in their native county, November 17, 1852, and has been blessed with eight children, six of whom are now living:  David A, who follows carpentering in Sterling, has a wife and three living children and has lost one child; Charles G, a carpenter of Santa Ana, California, has six living children; James E, a merchant of Lincoln county, Tennessee, also has six children; Joseph H, is married and resides in Gridley, Coffey county, Kansas; O H, who is engaged in the operation of his father’s farm in Anderson county, Kansas, is married and has two sons; and Mary A, who completes the family, is at home.

   James M Ramsey of this review followed agricultural pursuits in Ohio until 1872, when he went to Lincoln county, Tennessee, and there became the owner of a farm of two hundred and sixty-nine acres, upon which he resided for twelve years.  On the expiration of that period he sold the property and came to Kansas, settling in Anderson county, where he purchased eighty acres, upon which his son now resides.  In January, 1895, he removed to Sterling and purchased a village lot, to which his son removed his residence from Ness county, a distance of one hundred miles.  This son lives upon the adjoining lot.  Mr Ramsey and his son are Republicans in their political affiliations, and he is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic.  He has served as road supervisor in three different states, but has never aspired to public office, preferring to devote his attention to his business affairs, in which he has met with creditable success.  He and his family hold membership in the United Presbyterian church.