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From History of North Washington, published 1903, now in public domain. 
Submitted by Candy L. Grubb Feb. 23, 1997. Both above notices must remain 
when copied or downloaded.

candyg@ieway.com

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RICHARD G. RAMEY

	Richard G. Ramey is properly classed as one of the pioneers of the 
Pend d'Oreille valley. He has a generous estate of two hundred and eighty 
acres, about two miles south from Usk, and is one of the prosperous farmers 
and stockmen of the valley. Mr. Ramey has had vast and extensive experience 
all over the west and a full outline of his career would form a volume in 
itself. We would be pleased to grant, in this connection, a complete recital 
of his life, but regard for space forbids anything more than a brief review. 
Richard G. Ramey was born in Missouri July 20, 1840, the son of Daniel and 
Jane H. (Gentry) Ramey, natives of Kentucky and Missouri, respectively. They 
were pioneers to Missouri and remained in that state until the time of their 
death. From 1818 to 1820 they were in Cooper’s Fort, near St. Louis. They 
were the parents of ten children, Elizabeth, Reuben, Elzira, William, 
Martilis, Sarah, Mary, Anna, Richard G. and Alzira. The father was killed by 
Quantrell’s band and the mother remained with our subject until her death. 
During the first seventeen years of Mr. Ramey’s life he received his 
education in the common schools, then in 1857 started west to Salt Lake as 
night herder for an expedition. In 1858 he was in the first excitement at 
Pike’s Peak and helped whipsaw the lumber for the first building in and 
helped lay out the now great city of Denver. After this he prospected one 
year, then returned to Missouri, and in 1860 crossed the plains the second 
time, being in the employ of Governor Bent, Indian agent. The following year 
he returned again to Missouri and joined the state militia. He was not able 
to participate in military service, and in 1862 he again came west, this 
time as hunter for a train to Mexico. He worked for Kit Carson in the 
following winter. In the winter of 1863-64 he was variously engaged in 
frontier occupations. In 1864  he saw the  Plumer gang hung. He came on 
horseback from Colorado to Wild Horse, in British Columbia, and in 1866 
mined on the Salmon river in Idaho. In 1869 he was among the first to mine 
on Libby creek, then he was at various points on Puget Sound. In 1870 he 
went via Cape Horn to New York, then returned to Missouri and bought a farm, 
which he cultivated for a number of years. It was in 1886 he came to Spokane 
and soon settled on his present place in the Calispell valley. His farm is 
well improved and he handles considerable stock.
	The marriage of Mr. Ramey and Miss Agnes Penney occurred in 1871. 
Mr. James Penney was a native of Kentucky and his wife, Mary Ann (Beazley) 
Penney, a Virginian. They lived in the former state until their death, 
having been the parents of the following children: Almeda, Ann, Sally, Mary, 
Thomas, William and Agnes. To Mr. and Mrs. Ramey three children have been 
born, as follows: Richard T., Ida J., Jared and Albert, Mr. Ramey had great 
experiences in hunting buffalo on the plains and participated in many wild 
exploits and thrilling adventures. Politically he is a good strong 
Republican while in fraternal affairs he belongs to the Knights of Honor. 
Mr. and Mrs. Ramey are members of the United Brethren church and have the 
respect and esteem of the entire community.