BIO: Robert Walker RAMSEY, M.D., Chambersburg, Franklin County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Abby Bowman

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/franklin/
_______________________________________________ 

Medical Men of Franklin County, 1750-1925 by Ambrose Watts Thrush, M.D.;
Chambersburg, Pa.; Medical Society of Franklin County, Page 95-96 
_______________________________________________ 

ROBERT WALKER RAMSEY, M.D.

1850 – 1915

R. W. Ramsey was born August 6, 1850, in Letterkenny Township, this county, the 
son of John W. and Adeline (Keasey) Ramsey.  He received his education in the 
common and select schools of the time.  After several years spent in teaching in 
the rural schools of Letterkenny Township he began the study of medicine with 
Dr. J. M. Gelwix in Upper Strasburg.  He then attended lectures at Jefferson 
Medical College and was graduated, M. D., 1874, by this institution.

Dr. Ramsey located at once at St. Thomas, entering into partnership with Dr. 
John M. Van Tries, who for many years, had been a successful practitioner in 
this village and vicinity.  Dr. Van Tries died in 1883 and Dr. Ramsey succeeded 
to the practice and for a few years was the only physician in the village.  He 
was very successful in his work and held a large and lucrative practice 
extending over a wide scope of the country.

In 1891 Dr. Ramsey removed to Chambersburg entering into partnership with Dr. 
David Maclay, who came from Greenvillage at this same time.  This partnership 
continued for fifteen years.  Dr. Ramsey was admitted into the Society in 1875 
and was President in 1882.  He always was very active in the work of the 
Society.

In 1886 he was a delegate to the meeting of American Medical Association in St. 
Louis.  In 1900 he was appointed a member of the Pennsylvania State Medical 
Examining Board and served for six successive years.

He was Coroner of the County 1879-82 and Physician to Almshouse 1892-96.

Dr. Ramsey was actively interested in politics and community affairs.  He served 
as delegate to State Convention on several occasions.  He was actively 
interested in the organization of The Chambersburg Trust Company and the 
Cumberland Valley Telephone Company and served as director and officer in these 
and other organizations.

He was a Knight Templar and a Mason.  Dr. Ramsey married 1877 Miss Caroline M. 
Van Tries, daughter of Dr. John M. Van Tries of St. Thomas.