ANGEL OF DEATH TAKES DR. RAMSAY

The Daily Telegram., February 03, 1909
The Clarksburg Telegram., February 04, 1909

Aged And Noted Surgeon Of City Passes Away From Long Illness

Dr. John W. Ramsay, an aged and one of the most widely known and highly respected citizens of the State, died in his office on Second street, at 5 o’clock Wednesday morning, where he had a sleeping apartment. He had been in ill health for two years or more but the fatal illness was of but two weeks’ duration. A general break-down caused his demise.

The funeral will be held at the Clifford & Osborn undertaking chapel at 3 o’clock tomorrow afternoon and interment will be in the Odd Fellows’ Cemetery.

Dr. Ramsay was born in New Geneva, Fayette County, Pa., May 16, 1832, and was of Scotch and French origin. In the Monongahela Academy he received a thorough education and later entered Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, from which he was graduated in 1852.

In 1861,

During the Civil War, he entered the service as regimental surgeon, and later became chief surgeon of division, medical director, etc. He was in the Confederate army.

Dr. Ramsay was captured and sent to Clarksburg a paroled prisoner, and as he was favorably impressed with the city, he located here after the war. He soon had a large and lucrative practice, which increased as the years passed by until of recent years, during which he practiced on a much smaller scale, being compelled to give up much of his practice owing to ill health, and especially after the death of his son, Robert, a few years ago, who was also a physician with a promising future assured, had death not claimed him.

Dr. Ramsay

Dr. Ramsay was one of the leading surgeons in West Virginia and he performed all the different classes of difficult operations. He combined with a rare knowledge of his profession pleasant and agreeable manners and a broad and conscientious charity.

For years Dr. Ramsay had been a member of the American Medical Association. He also in earlier years served as physician and surgeon for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company. He was once a member of the board of directors of the West Virginia Hospital for the Insane at Weston and was a member of the West Virginia Historical Society. The doctor was one of the best judges of horseflesh in the state and for a number of years had a stable of fine horses.

In May, 1858, Dr. Ramsay married Miss Virginia L. Hoffman, daughter of John H. and Louise Hoffman, of Morgantown, who died a few years ago, and but one child, Mrs. Lutie Kohr, wife of a well known attorney of Washington, D. C., survives.

Dr. Ramsay was well and favorably known to the medical profession of West Virginia, and the people of Harrison and adjoining counties, and had the respect and confidence of all.

The daughter was notified by wire of the death of Dr. Ramsay and a message has been received from her that she is ill and will be unable to attend the funeral.