Bio: John R. Ramsey, Claiborne Parish, LA
Source: Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Northwest Louisiana
The Southern Publishing Company, Chicago & Nashville, 1890
Submitted for the LAGenWeb Archives by: Gwen Moran-Hernandez, Jan. 2000


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John R. Ramsey, deputy clerk and recorder of the district court of Claiborne 
Parish, La., is a native of Alabama, being born in Montgomery September 22, 
1831, and is a son of Wilkes Ramsey.  The father was born in the Palmetto State, 
Edgefield District, in 1807, and when but a boy removed with his father to Lowndes 
County, Ala., where he grew to manhood.  He was married in Montgomery County, Ala., 
to subject's mother, her maiden name being Miss Mary Ann Tankersley, a native of 
Tennessee.  Mr. Ramsey was a planter while living in Alabama, but in 1838he removed 
from there to Union Parish, La., and resided there until 1851, when they came to 
Claiborne Parish.  There the mother died in January 1863.  The father spent a few 
years with his children in Texas, and then died in Union Parish in 1888 while there 
on a visit.  They were the parents of seven sons and five daughters, all of whom 
grew to maturity with the exception of one, and six sons and four daughters are 
now living.  John R. Ramsey came to this State and parish with his father in 1838 
when but seven years of age, and here he reached mature years, receiving but a 
limited education in youth.  Later in life, by self study, he became a well-informed 
man, and is thoroughly posted on all the current topics of the day.  He came to 
this parish in 1852, engaged in farming and taught school part of two years.  He 
entered the court-house as deputy recorder in 1859, and in 1861 he was elected 
recorder, serving in that capacity until the latter part of 1866.  He was re-elected 
to that position in 1868, and served continuously until 1879, when the office was 
discontinued and consolidated with the clerk's office, and Mr. Ramsey was make deputy.  
He has been in this office now nearly thirty-one years, longer, perhaps, than any 
other man in the State, and it is hardly necessary to add that he has filled this 
position to the entire satisfaction of all.  He is perfectly familiar with all the 
business and records of this parish, and is a gentleman who has the confidence and 
esteem of every one.  He was also mayor of Homer, and was a member of the council 
for several years.  Mr. Ramsey was married in this parish, in January, 1854, to 
Miss Sarah E. Tuggle, a native of Alabama, where she was reared, and the daughter 
of Thomas H. Tuggle.  Seven children were born to this union: Florence (wife of S. B. 
Aycock), Susan J. (wife of J. H. Kirkpatrick, who is sheriff of Claiborne Parish), 
Lizzie E. (at home), Katie E. (also at home), Jeff Thompson, Emmett S. And Wilts 
Nichols.  Mr. Ramsey in a member of the Masonic fraternity, and is in the council 
degrees.  He is a member of the L. of H., and an honorary member of the K. of P.  
Mrs. Ramsey is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

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