The following history was sent to HDE by Bob Massoth in November 1995 with the
following note attached:Harold: [This] was found in Genealogical section of Kokomo IN library. " Old
Hat" to you, but an interesting Ramseyer branch.The article follows (filed in Richard William Etherington file):
FAMILY HISTORY
To the Osborn and Ramseyer family reunion of July 25, 1926 Greetings:
If you had ask me to write on this history of the Ramseyer family some
fifty-five or sixty years ago, I could better have fulfilled that request.All or most all of the sources to get authentic information upon the origin
and founding of the Ramseyer family have been lost and scattered at this time.The older people have all passed on to the Great Beyond and records that
would have greatly helped in this effort have been scattered and are hard to
find.However, I have here compiled and recorded some little history of the
founding of the family from which our ancestors came; that is, I mean the
Ramseyer branch of this organization.After this, I suggest that some person be asked to continue with the more
recent history of the different branches of the family.I have made some effort to get at the beginning of the American Branch of our
family. I have learned that some of the family are still in Europe and some
have emigrated to this country in recent years but we have lost our connection
with them.In the beginning of the year 1812, there lived in one of the Western Cantons
of Switzerland in Europe, a man with his wife and two little boys.
The wife
died leaving the man and two boys, aged eleven and twelve years, to do as best
they could. I dn not know as to their circumstances financially but from what
I could learn and what takes place with them in getting to this country, I
conclude they were well to do. One thing is in evidence that they were well
educated and that they used the French language.That man, Jacob Ramseyer, with his two boys decided to come to the United
States and seek new homes for themselves. The boys were named Daniel and
Phillip. They started out from their old home Westward across France, a
distance of four or five hundred miles to the Ocean in the spring of 1813.When they arrived at Bordeau, France, where they expected to get a ship for the
United States, they found a war on between the United States and England, the
war of 1812 to 1815 that had been declared June of that year. On account of
the blakcade that England was able to maintain with her superior ships, they
did not get a ship untill 1815. They made the trip and landed in New York in
1815 after being chased part of the way by one of England's war ships which
their ship was able to outrun.They landed in New York City in the Fall of 1815, where they made their home
for two years or untill 1817. It was probably the latter part of 1817 when they
started for Indiana. They traveled slowly, the baggage being hauled by teams
and the people walking most of the way. They stopped in whatr is now Switzerland County, Ind.Thewy stoped here is has been told for two reasons at least. This place
being very hilly, resembled the dear old home they left back in Europe. The
people they found here were a great many of them French and had a common
language. The records in Vevay Court House show that Jacob Ramseyer entered
and obtained for a home 157 acres in the SW Quarter of Sec 2 Range 3 West, on
Jan 31, 1817. this became the family home for many years. We shall follow the
history of Phillip Ramseyer from this on.Phillip Ramseyer, our grandfather, was born in Canton or County Rocal in
Switzerland, Euripe on the 15th day of October 1801. He came with his father
and brother to Switzerland County Indiana as recorded heretofore.
He grew to
manhood on their farm. He had to learn the Englisth languagte after he came to
this country. He succeeded very well and when I first remember him, he used
ver good English.He was united in marriage with Catharine Shadday on the 3rd day of April,
1823. She was a help-mate worthy of any man and during the last years of her
life was, as I remember her, the best and most lovable, kind, motherly old lady
that a boy ever knew. Everybody knew Aunt Katy Ramseyer far and near. It was
an inpsiriation to know her and a gblessed thing to remember her.To this union was born a family of eight children:
Maria born Feb 6 1824
Polly born Mar 14, 1825 died Mar 3 1832
Elizabeth born July 19 1826
Jacob born Mar 13, 1828
Barbara born Feb 11, 1830
Daniel born Feb 28, 1832
Edward Patton born June 26, 1837These children were all born to Phillip and Catharine Ramseyer while they
still lived in Switzerland County, Indiana.Philip Ramsayer was a man of importance amoung his fellows. He served as
Treasureer of the Board of Trustees of his township as was conducted under the
old Indiana law. He was an officer, a Major, in the Indiana militia as early
as 1832 and 1833. His men were ordered to go to the scene of activities during
the Black Hawk Indian War in 1833. On the collapse of that war so suddenly, he
returned to civil life.In the year 1841, he left his old home in Switzerland County and moved with
his family to Miami Indian Reserve that at that time was opened to settlers for
homes. He settled on the North East quarter of section 29, Twonship 23 N Range
3 East. A very fine body of land since it is cleared up, ditched and under a
high state of cultivation.The count was called Richardville, so called after an old Miami Indian chief
of that day. It was afterward changed to Howard County.Phillip Ramseyer early engaged in the keeping of a store and was the first to
open a store in what is now Harrison Township, Howard County Indiana. He
hauled all his goods in wagons from LaFayette, which at that day was some job.He continued his store about eighteen years or until the time of the Civil
War when failing health and great changes of business conditions, caused him to
discountinue his store. He died Feb 4, 1870.Here on this farm, three miles East of Russiaville on what is now know as
State Road 29, his family of six attained their maturities and married off and
establishyed families of their own.Jacob Ramseyer married Celia A. Scott, a neighbor girl, on August 23rd in the
year 1849. To this union four children were born:
Silas D. born August 13, 1850
Marie E. born Mar 6, 1853 died 11 Jan 1867
David S. born Dec 15, 1853 -- died Mar 30, 1930
George H. born Dec 12, 1855 died Mar 14, 1892Jacob Ramsayer and Jane Mulkins wre united in marriage Oct 26, 1856. To this
union were born ten children:
Phillip U. born Sept 16, 1857
Sarah C. born Oct 17, 1859
Richard H. born Aug 31, 1861 died Aug 11, 1863
John M. born Nov 26 1863 -- Died Sep 11, 1864
Andrew J. born Aug 18 1865 died Aug 26, 1933
Joseph F. born April 5, 1867 died mar 27 1892
Alfred U. born July 8, 1869
Oscar T. born Dec 8, 1872
Elmer P. born Jan 17, 1875
Ivy I. born April 17, 1877 died June 13, 1919Someone else may continue the history of this branch of the family if they
wish to do so. George M. Ramseyer the eighth and yougest of the family born in
Switzerland County on June 26, 1837, as before mentioned, came with his parents
to Howard County when he was but four years of age.He got his schooling as others of that day, in the little old log school-house, sitting on a bench hdwed from a slab, split from a log, turned
over and with pins in for legs. His legs reached to within six inches of the
floor.The writer herof knows for he went to the same school-house.
Never heard any
fuss about sanitation or of accommodations being unsanitary. We managed to get
along, and George at the age of twenty-one had secured better than average
common school education for that day.He was united in marriage with Eliza A. Lasley on the 25th of June, 1860. To
this union three children were born:
John W. Born Nov 6, 1863 died aged 1 year 10 months, 24 days.
Zimri (ZIMRI) born Oct 13, 1866, and died age 1 year and 23 days.
Lilly born Feb 1868Eliza A. Lasley Ramseyer died Mar 3, 1868. Soon after the death of his wife,
George left Howard Count, Indianna and went to Wells County Indiana to live.note: This is the end of the report -- author not noted.
However, there is
a handwritten note at the bottom of the last page which states: "More: Nancy
Osborn Goetzen 1632 W. Deffenbaugh Kokomo 459-8532.end of report.
Letter from Carol J. Garhart to HDE dated 28 Sep 2007:
Tombstone for Carolyn Catharine Shadday shows "Catharine".
CENSUS: 1880, 1900 HARRISON TOWNSHIP HOWARD CO IND.
Kokomo IN obituary:
Etherington, Omer
Obit 9 Apr 1929 page 10
Killed by a bull at Frankfort
Son of Phillip and Ann Etherington.
CENSUS: 1880 1900 HOWARD CO IND.
A death certificate found in Kokomo Howard IN in May, 1991 by HE shows female
white infant Etherington born 13 Oct 1916 (still born), daughter of Charles and
Tina Rodawan Etherington. Need further information to tie this infant to this
Charles.
CENSUS: 1880 1900 HOWARD CO IND.
CENSUS: 1880 1900 HOWARD CO IND.
A death certificate found in Kokomo Howard IN shows death of Naomi E. Etherington, born 21 May 1915, died 13 Nov 1916. She was a daughter of James
H. Etherington (born Howard Co IN), and his wife Lula Peters. Need further
information to tie Naomi E. to this James and Lula. Birth records of Howard
County (in file of Richard William Etherington) show birth of three children to
James M. Etherington and wife Sarah/Lola Peters as follows: (see rin 7190).Bernice Etherington dau of J.M. and Sarah Peters F W 30 Aug 1911
Naomi Etherington dau of Jas. M. and Lola Peters F W 21 May 1915
Rosemary Etherington dau of James M. and Lola Peters F W 10 Aug 1917
Howard Co IN deed book 50 page 480 dated 24 Jan 1883:
Waggoner sells to John L. (or T.) Etherington...
Family photo taken in about 1913 in file.
See scrapbook this RIN.Family information received from Carol J. Garhart RIN 15807. Filed in file of John Thomas Etherington. See letter in her file.
Census: 1880 Harrison, Howard, Indiana
Etherington, John M W self 33 IN KY IN
Etherington, Rebecca F W wife 30 IN IN IN
Etherington, Arthur son 3 IN IN IN
Etherington, Amanda dau 11 m IN IN IN
Etherington, Franklin JACKSON SSon M W 10 IN IN IN
Howard Co IN deed dated 12 May 1893 Book 3 page 378:
William Etherington and Celestia F. Etherington his wife heirs of Richard
Etherington and Mariah Etherington for $700 do release all interest in the
estate of Richard and Mariah Etherington...
LAST NAME ALSO SPELLED SOUVERS.
Marriage record from Indiana State Marriage lists shows husband as Etherington, Richard H. Need further information.
Obituary 26 Jan 1920 Kokomo Howard IN:
Mrs. Mary L. Etherington, age 55 years, died at two o'clock yesterday
morning, at her home in West Middleton. Death was due to dropsy, Mrs. ETherington having been ill for several months.
Mrs. Etherington is survived by six children, her parents, three sisters and
one brother. The children are: John and Susie, at home; Mrs Elizabeth
McIntyre, of Tipton County; Mrs. June Cardwell, 620 South Webster St., this
city; LeRoy Etherington, and Mrs. Jessie Saul, of this county, near West
Middleton. The sisters are: Mrs Clara Stemhigen, of Huntington, Mrs. Rose
Burnworth, Switzer, Ind., and Mrs. Fannie Goodlauden, Yakima Washington. Also,
Will Garrison is the only brother. Mrs. Etherington was Miss Mary Garrison,
before her marriage and she was born near Burlington.
The funeral arrangements have not been announced.Card of Thanks:
We desire to thank the neighbors and friends for their kindness and help
during the sickness and deathe of our mother. Also, for the floral offerings.Mrs. Jessie Saul
Mrs. June Cardwell
Mrs. Elizabeth McIntire
Leroy John and Susie EtheringtonName in obit of son Leroy is given as Mary Lou Garrison.
Obituary:
Funeral services for Leroy (Lee) Etherington, 72, Kokomo RR 6 will be at 4 pm
Sunday in Ellers Funeral Chapel, Kokomo, with the Rev James Kaufman officiating. Burial will be in Sunse Memory Gardens Cemetery at 9 am Monday.
Stout funeral Home is directing the arrangements.
Friends may call at the Ellers Funeral Chapel after 3 pm Saturday.
Mr. Etherington died ad 2:35 PM Thursday in St. Joseph Memorial Hospital
where he had been a patient the last three weeks. He had been will for four
weeks.
Born Nov 30 1892 in oward County, he was the son of Robert H. and Mary Lou
Garrison Etherington. On Sept 26, 1914 Mr. Etherington was married to Artie B.
Cardwelll, who survives. He had farmed on the same farm all his life.
Mr. Etherington was a member of Russiaville Christian Church, the Russiaville
Masonic Lodge and Scottish Rite.
Surviving in addition to the widow are two sons, Ward Etherington, Russiaville RR 2, and Robert Etherington, Kokomo RR6; two daughters Mrs.
Richard (Helen) Gable, Colfax, and Miss Maxine Etherington at home; two
sisters, Mrs June Cardwell, Kokomo, and Mrs. Glen (Susie) McCain, Kokomo RR1;
one brother John M. Etherington, Kokomo RR3, twelve grandchildren and two great
grandchildren. One brother and two sisters are deceased.