Homer Ramsdell
Homer Ramsdell | |
---|---|
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Born | August 12, 1810 |
Died | February 13, 1894 |
Resting place | St. George's Cemetery (Newburgh, New York) |
Nationality | American |
Spouse | Frances Elizabeth Powell Ramsdell |
Homer Ramsdell(August 12, 1810 – February 13, 1894) was an American business man, known as president of theErie Railroadfrom 1853 to 1857[1]as successor ofBenjamin Loder.[2]
Biography
[edit]Ramsdell, in the 19th century one of the foremost citizen ofNewburgh, New York,[3]was born atWarren, Massachusetts,August 12, 1810. His father was Joseph Ramsdell. the fourth of that name in descent from Joseph and Martha (Bowker) Ramsdell, who emigrated from England toPlymouth, Massachusetts,in 1643. His mother was Ruth Stockbridge, ofHanover, Massachusetts,a descendant of John Stockbridge, who came from England in 1638. They were married at Hanover February 3, 1800, and moved to Warren, where the following children were born: Joseph, Mary and Homer.[4]
In 1829, Ramsdell went to New York City, where he was employed in a dry goods store onMaiden Lane.[5]Three years later he began business under the firm name of Ramsdell & Brown, dealers in silks and fancy white goods. On June 16, 1835, Ramsdell was married to Frances E. L. Powell, daughter of Thomas Powell, a prominent businessman ofNewburgh.
Ramsdell continued his mercantile career until 1840, when he took up his permanent residence in Newburgh, superintending the various interests of his father-in-law, Thomas Powell, who was engaged in shipping and banking business there. In 1844 Ramsdell became a member of the firm of Thomas Powell & Co., and thenceforth until Powell's death in 1856 he was largely the administrator of Powell's affairs. By purchase and consolidation Ramsdell added other forwarding lines to his enterprises and soon stood at the head of the transportation business on theHudson River.
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7b/Homer_Ramsdell_%281887_steamboat%29.jpg/220px-Homer_Ramsdell_%281887_steamboat%29.jpg)
Ramsdell was associated with theErie Railroad,and in 1845 he was elected a member of the board of directors of that corporation. In 1853 he was chosen president of the company, in which position he promotedDaniel McCallumGeneral superintendent. He resigned the office in July, 1857. He was intimately identified with the various local institutions of Newburgh and a prompt contributor to all progressive and elevating movements of his day.[4]In 1887 the Hudson River steamboatHomer Ramsdellwas named after him.
Personal life
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/The_Children_of_Homer_Ramsdell%2C_Esq.jpg/220px-The_Children_of_Homer_Ramsdell%2C_Esq.jpg)
Homer and Frances Ramsdell had the following children:
- Mary Ludlow Powell (b. 1836)
- Frances Josephine Ramsdell (b. 1838), widow of Major George W. Rains;
- Thomas Powell (b. 1840–91)
- James A. P. Ramsdell
- H. Powell Ramsdell (b. 1844–1934)
- Homer Stockbridge Ramsdell (b. 1851–1930).[4]
- Leila Rains Ramsdell (b. 1856)
Selected publications
[edit]- "Report of the President of the New York and Erie Railroad to the Stockholders, for the Year Ending September 30"in:Annual Report.New York and Erie Railroad Company, 1856. p. 5-19
References
[edit]This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain:The History of Orange County New York.Russel Headley eds. Van Deusen and Elms, Publishers. Middletown, N. Y. 1908
- ^Kevin Barrett (2000)Newburgh.p. 32
- ^Edward Harold Mott (1901)Between the ocean and the Lakes: the story of Erie.p. 114
- ^"Obituary Homer Ramsdell"inNew York Times,February 14, 1894.
- ^abcThe History of Orange County New York.Russel Headley eds. Van Deusen and Elms, Publishers. Middletown, N. Y. 1908
- ^Barrett, Walter.The Old Merchants of New York City,New York. Carleton, 1864, p. 49
External links
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)