Josiah Ramsey

As printed in 1902

JOSIAH RAMSEY, D. D. S.

Through forty-nine years Dr. Josiah Ramsey engaged in the practice.of dentistry and became an eminent member of the profession in this state, his ability classing him with the best representatives of the calling in Ohio. The qualities of his manhood, too, were such as to command for him the highest regard and confidence of his fellow mai, and the circle of his friends was constantly enlarged as his acquaintance grew. It was, therefore, a matter of widespread regret when he was called from this life, and his memory is yet dear to many who knew him, not only in Springfield but throughout the state as well.

Dr. Ramsey was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, May 12, 1816, and in 1836 became a resident of Ohio. For one year he was a student under the instruction of Mr. Mc"williams, a well known educator of that day, and then his brother John wished his assistance in the fulling and carding mill, which was near Dayton, Ohio. There our subject remained for six months, after which he went to Oldtown, where he was employed in a large spinning factory, which was operated by water power, the machine being about twenty-eight feet long. While thus engaged he received eighteen and twenty dollars per month for his sei'vices. From that place he returned to the neighborhood in which lived his brother John and taught school at what was called Cuppy's school for three months. He was afterward employed as teacher of a school near Fairfield, Ohio, for three months and later taught the Fulks school, near Xenia, for a year and three months. His next school, located between Fairfield and Dayton, was called the Cost school, "and of this he had charge six months, after which he spent a half year as teacher in the Fullcuff school near Dayton. In the fall of 1843 he went to Indiana, thence made his way to the Ohio river, down which he proceeded on a raft to Natchez, Mississippi, but he found no favorable opening there for a school and he continued on horseback up the banks of the Mississippi river to Rodney, about thirty miles north of Natchez, where after a short time he secured a position as teacher, at a salary of thirty-five dollars per month, being employed there for six months. He later was teacher of another school in the same locality for a year, after which he returned to Springfield in 1847, having been absent for four years. During his first two years' residence in the south he had suffered much from fever.

About 1847 of" 1848 t)r- Ramsey went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and entered the office of Drs. Edward and James Taylor, dentists, with whom he studied for a time and then pursued a full course in the Ohio Dental College, from which he was graduated, entering upon the active practice of the profession in Springfield in August, 1850. By his skill, judgment and ability he soon earned for himself well merited eminence in professional ranks and a liberal patronage was accorded him. He was known as one of the best dentists in the state. He practiced for forty-nine years, having his office in the Fisher block for twenty-six years, after which, in 1893, on account of his health, he established his office in his home, where he remained until his death. Throughout the long period of his connection with the dental profession he kept abreast with the times and with all new inventions which tended to promote the efficiicy and value of dental work. He was a close, earnest and discriminating student and continually augmented his ability by research and investigation, so that his skill was second to that of no practitioner of dentistry in this part of the state and his ability made him the superior of the large majority of members of the profession. He was a respected and honored member of the State Dental Association.

Dr. Ramsey was united in marriage to Mrs. Emma M. Steele, at Pine Grove Furnace, near Hanging Rock, Ohio, September 23, 1857, and they had two daughters, M. Jennie B. and Mary E. C. The latter is the wife of James M. Rumsey, of Rawlings, Wyoming, and their children were Jean Harriet and Elizabeth Margaretta. The home relations in the Ramsey household were ideal. The Doctor was devoted to his wife and children and his greatest pleasure was found at his own fireside. He provided liberally for his family to the best of his ability and he was also found as a faithful and devoted friend.

Dr. Ramsey passed away Septemher 27, 1899, at the age of eighty-three years, and was laid to rest in Fernclifif cemetery. In politics he had been a strong Republican, g"living an earnest support to the principles of the party which he believed would promote the best interests of the nation. He. was a charter member of the Second Presbyterian church of Springfield and a useful and valued member, who gave freely of his means to the support of the church and earnestly strove to promote its growth and extend its influence. "His life was like the quiet shining of a star," whose light is unobtrusive but steadfast. He was conscien- *tious and upright in all that he did and his example is worthy of emulation, while his influence and memory are yet a potent element for good in the lives of many who knew him and who honored him for his unfaltering devotion to principle.

As printed in A Biographical record of Clark county, Ohio .. (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.