Homer Ramsdell
Homer Ramsdell | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | August 12, 1810 |
| Died | February 13, 1894 |
| Resting place | St. George's Cemetery (Newburgh, New York) |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse(s) | Frances Elizabeth Powell Ramsdell |
Homer Ramsdell (August 12, 1810 – February 13, 1894) was an American business man, known as president of the Erie Railroad from 1853 to 1857[1] as successor of Benjamin Loder.[2]
Biography[]
Ramsdell, in the 19th century one of the foremost citizen of Newburgh, New York,[3] was born at Warren, 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 to Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1643. His mother was Ruth Stockbridge, of Hanover, 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 dry goods houses. Three years later he began business there under the firm name of Ramsdell & Brown, dealers in silks and fancy white goods. He continued this mercantile career until 1840, when he took up his permanent residence in Newburgh, superintending the various interests of Thomas Powell, who was engaged in shipping and banking business here 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 the Hudson River.
Ramsdell was associated with the Erie 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 promoted Daniel McCallum General 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 steamboat Homer Ramsdell was named after him.
Personal life[]
On June 16, 1835, Ramsdell was married to Frances E. L. Powell, daughter of Thomas Powell, of Newburgh. Together, they 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]
Selected publications[]
- "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[]
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" in New York Times, February 14, 1894.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c The History of Orange County New York. Russel Headley eds. Van Deusen and Elms, Publishers. Middletown, N. Y. 1908
External links[]
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- 1810 births
- 1894 deaths
- Businesspeople from New York (state)
- 19th-century American businesspeople