William Henry Ramsdell Biography


	This biography appears on page 1535 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	WILLIAM HENRY RAMSDELL, a successful farmer in Moody county, was 
born in Osage, Mitchell county, Iowa, on the 25th of December, 1863, and 
thus became a Christmas guest in the household, though doubtless no one 
personally as appreciative of the great Christmas anniversary as he has 
been in subsequent years. He is a son of William and Mary A. Ramsdell, 
the former of whom was born in the state of New York and the latter in 
that of Michigan. The father devoted his time principally to farming and 
stock raising and his death occurred in the spring of 1896, while the 
mother now resides at Flandreau. The subject was reared in Iowa and 
secured his educational training in the public schools of Osage. In 1885 
he came to South Dakota and took up his residence in Moody county, where 
he bought land and began the independent life of a farmer and stock 
grower. With the passing of the years prosperity has attended him and he 
now has a good farm, improved with substantial buildings, and showing 
the unmistakable evidences of thrift and prosperity. In politics he 
gives his allegiance to the Republican party, and fraternally he is 
affiliated with the lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen in 
Flandreau, while he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
church. 

	On the 18th of January, 1894, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. 
Ramsdell to Miss Lulu J. Roberts, who was born at Redwing, Goodhue 
county, Minnesota, on the 2d of August, 1869, being a daughter of Asahel 
D. and Eliza E. Roberts. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsdell have four children, 
namely: William Lester, Charles Stuart, Eunice Madeline and Donnell 
Nixon.