My Genealogy Hound

David S. Ramsey, farmer and stock raiser of Shaw Township, is a native of Georgia, and was born in Hall County, March 4, 1827, being the son of William and Cynthia (Gess) Ramsey, both natives of Georgia, who were married in that State. William Ramsey was a farmer and one of the first settlers in that portion of Georgia. He was a quiet and good citizen, and in politics was a Whig. He died with sickness and is buried near Dalton. He left his wife with the following family: Elizabeth (wife of William Payne, a farmer of Georgia), Rhoda Allen (widow of Allen), Polly Ann (wife of David Smith, of Whitfield County, Ga.), David S., Nancy M. (wife of C. F. Payne, of Howard County, Ark.), Wilson L. (died in the army and was buried near Holly Springs, Miss.), Harriet J. (wife of Thomas Blackwell, farmer of Faulkner County, Ark.), and Wilburn B. (killed at the siege of Atlanta, in 1864, and buried there.) David S. was reared to farm life, being deprived of the opportunity to attend school, for, at the death of his father, he, as the oldest son, was obliged to assume a great responsibility. This he did faithfully, giving everything he made to his mother until he was twenty-two years old. When about fifteen years old he worked for 12 cents per day, in order to be of some help to the family. In 1849 he married Miss Catherine Turner, a daughter of Louis Turner, and a native of Georgia. After his marriage Mr. Ramsey engaged in farming for two years in Georgia, but in the fall of 1854 came to this county. The first five years of his residence here he rented land, and spent most of his time in hunting, as that was a source of great profit, producing sometimes as high as $15 per day. In 1855 he entered 160 acres of bottom land at 75 cents per acre. He added to this by buying and homesteading until he had 640 acres, and now has all but 160 which he has given to his children. He has cleared 150 acres and built a good substantial house. From the time of the settlement to the war he lived on Section 31. Township 2, Range 14, and since then has lived one mile east of that place. Mr. Ramsey came to Arkansas to secure a home and escape paying rent and is much pleased with his choice. He speaks in high praise of the country, and thinks it the only place to live in. He says there is a good market for all kinds of products, and it is his desire that people shall enter who will help build up the county. When the war broke out he enlisted in the scout service, under Gen. Fagan, and remained with him till the close of hostilities in 1865. He was in the battles of Mount Elby, and at that time was slightly wounded, also taking part in the engagement of Pilot Knob, and was paroled in Navarro County, Tex. At the close of the war he returned to the place where he now resides, having made numerous improvements since that time. Mr. and Mrs. Ramsey are the parents of twelve children, eight of whom survive: William T. (born November 4, 1849), Elizabeth (born October 24, 1851), Cynthia (born January 12, 1852), John W. (born July 4, 1858), James A. (born October 8, 1862), Thomas F. (born October 12, 1867), Sarah F. (born August 31, 1863), Joseph S. (born October 9, 1865), and Rhoda Ann Belle (born January 9, 1873). Mr. Ramsey is a supporter of the Baptist doctrine, and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal and Baptist Churches. He is a member of Lodge No. 1319, K. of H., Benton, Ark., and though he takes no active part in politics is a stanch Democrat. His farm is stocked with mules, horses, hogs and cattle. He takes an active part in and gives his support to all enterprises for the good of the county.