Dade County FlArchives Biographies.....Ramsey, A. H. 1865 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Nancy Rayburn http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00025.html#0006128 November 5, 2015, 2:59 am

Source: Vol. II  pg.140-141  The Lewis Publishing Co. 1923
Author: History of Florida, Past and Present  

        A. H. RAMSEY, president of the Biscayne Novelty Works, is one of the
oldest business men of Miami. He was attracted to what was then the mere
nucleus of a town, over a quarter of a century ago. His business activity has
been lumber milling and wood working, and the establishment of which he is the
founder is considered the best equipped in its special line of the southern
part of the state.
	Mr. Ramsey was born in Newton County, Georgia, in 1865, and was reared
on a farm and followed farming as an occupation at his home in Newton County
until about 1891. He had previously visited in Northern Florida, and in 1891 he
started a saw mill in Sumter County in the northern part of the state. His
experience therefore in lumber manufacture covers a period of over thirty years.
	About the time the Florida East Coast Railroad was under construction 
to the new town at Miami Mr. Ramsey located here, in June, 1896, and was one of 
the very first settlers, there being only about a dozen buildings on the entire 
site. His first work was in connection with the building of the Royal Palm 
Hotel. He and his son DeWitt first opened a small shop in Fort Lauderdale, and 
subsequently for a brief time were associated with C. T. McCRIMMON in the
lumber business at Miami.
	It was in 1914 that the Biscayne Novelty Works was founded and 
established by Mr. A. H. RAMSEY and his two sons, DeWITT and DAVID RAMSEY. They 
began the operation of a general planing mill at South Miami Avenue and Third 
Street. Two years later a fire devastated that section of the city, and soon 
afterward the Biscayne Novelty Works was moved to 1151 Northwest First Avenue, 
where it is located today. In this location the plant has been enlarged four 
times, and the operating staff has been increased to about a dozen men to 
seventy or more. It is not merely a planing mill, but a general wood-working 
establishment, with a large number of machines for preparing and finishing 
lumber products. Besides general mill-work the plant manufacturers railings,
stairs, frames, sashes, doors, show cases and store fixtures. This company has
furnished millwork for some of the largest and finest commercial and
residential buildings in Miami, including the interior wood fittings for the
Moore Furniture Company, the Central Arcade, the Stall apartments, the
residence of H. E. TALBOT at the Beach, the B. F. TOBIN home at Buena Vista,
and the residences of JOHN BINDLEY and JOHN B. SEMPLE at Coconut Grove.
	Mr. Ramsey is a member of the Miami Chamber of Commerce and the First 
Presbyterian Church. He married Miss MARY C. BURTASHAN, a native of Georgia, 
but reared in Florida. Their children are: DAVID, DeWITT, SUSIE, LETETIA,
ESTHER, LEAH, CARRIE, and DORCAS and DORIS, twins. His sons DeWitt and David
are actively associated with him in business, and they were reared and educated
in Miami and both are deacons in the First Presbyterian Church. The family are
Presbyterians.


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