Biographical Sketch of Samuel D. RAMSEY (1893); Chester County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by John Morris . Copyright. All Rights Reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************* Source: "Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsyl- vania, comprising a historical sketch of the county," by Samuel T. Wiley and edited by Winfield Scott Garner, Gresham Publishing Company, Philadel- phia, PA, 1893, pp. 201-2. "SAMUEL D. RAMSEY, whose active intellect was early attracted by the mys- teries of that profession to which Blackstone devoted his powerful mind, has for more than a score of years maintained a position of prominence at the West Chester bar. He is the second son of James R. and Mary (Dickey) Ramsey, being born July 24, 1848, in the borough of Hopewell, Chester county, Penn- sylvania. The Ramseys are of Celtic origin, the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, William Ramsey, having been born in Ireland, but emigrated from that country while yet a lad and located at East Nottingham, this county. After reaching man's estate he married and reared a family, but continued to reside at East Nottingham until his death at an advanced age. "His son William Ramsey (grandfather), was born in East Nottingham township, this county, but after attaining manhood, removed to Lancaster county and settled near Georgetown, where he died. He was a merchant, and married Rebecca Wilson, by whom he had a family of two children, one son and a daughter: James R. (father) and Ann. "James R. Ramsey was born February 14, 1815, in Lancaster county, this State. He received what was considered a good education in that day, and became an energetic and successful business man. He engaged in a number of enterprises, all of which seemed to prosper in his hands. During the last twenty years of his life he served as treasurer of the Philadelphia & Balti- more Central Railroad Company. He died December 24, 1871, at his home near Oxford, this county. Politically he was a republican, and served during the dark days of the civil war as president of the Union League of Oxford. He held a number of minor offices, and was a prominent member of the Presby- terian church, serving as trustee for many years. He married Mary Dickey, and to them was born a family of three sons: William W., now a well known business man in the city of Chicago and president of the corporation of Ramsey, Rhodes & Co.; Samuel D., the principal subject of this sketch; and J. Everton, cashier of the National bank of Oxford, this county. "Samuel D. Ramsey was educated at Hopewell academy and Oxford seminary, and after completing his academic education he, in April, 1869, entered the office of that distinguished attorney and statesman, the Hon. Wayne Mac- Veagh, in West Chester, and began the study of law. After two years of careful preparation he was admitted to the bars on April 24, 1871, and im- mediately opened an office in West Chester for the practice of his profes- sion. Being endowed with great native ability and the energy of character necessary to develop and cultivate his powers, he soon became quite success- ful and won an honorable position at the bar. He early learned the truth of the adage that there is no excellence without great labor, and gives to every cause he undertakes that thorough consideration which is necessary to enable an advocate to handle his case with skill and success. He has now been in continuous practice in the courts of this county for more than twenty years, and enjoys a large and constantly increasing clientage. "On December 6, 1877, Mr. Ramsey was united in marriage to Sarah M. Brinton, of the borough of West Chester. This union has been blessed by the birth of two daughters: Eleanor B. and Edith M. In religion he is a Presbyterian, and a leading member of that denomination in the place of his residence. Politically he is a stanch republican, and always gives his support and influence to that great party. He is a member of Oxford Lodge, No. 353, Free and Accepted Masons, and occupies an enviable position both in his profession and as a useful, enterprising and influential citizen of Chester county."