HOMER RAMSDELL, for a century the foremost citizen of Newburgh, N. Y., was born at Warren, Mass., 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, Mass. in 1643. His mother was Ruth Stockbridge, of Hanover, Mass., 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. In 1829 Homer 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 Mr. Thomas Powell, who was engaged in shipping and banking business here. In 1844 Mr. Ramsdell became a member of the firm of Thomas Powell & Co., and thenceforth until Mr. Powell's death in 1856 he was largely the administrator of Mr. Powell's affairs. By purchase and consolidation Mr. Ramsdell added other forwarding lines to his enterprises and soon stood at the head of the transportation business on the Hudson. Details of Mr. Ramsdell's connection with the Erie Railroad appear elsewhere. In 1845 he was elected a member of the board of directors of this corporation and in 1853 was chosen president of the company, resigning 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.
Mr. Ramsdell was married June 16, 1835, to Frances E. L., daughter of Thomas Powell, of Newburgh, and the following children survive: Frances J., widow of Major George W. Rains; James A. P., H. Powell and Homer Stockbridge.
WILLIAM CHESTER RAMSDELL, the subject of this sketch, was born in the town of Greenville, Greene County, N. Y., December 29, 1858. His father was Luman S. Ramsdell, a nephew of Luman Ramsdell, of Norton Hill, who was connected with the State Agricultural Society and has had much to do with the agricultural interests of the state and also with the co-operative or mutual insurance companies, he having established practically the first mutual insurance company in the state of New York.
The mother of William C. Ramsdell was Laura Ann Gedney before her marriage, and a direct descendant from an officer of the Revolutionary army.
When about seven years old the parents of William C. Ramsdell moved to Albany County, where his life was spent upon a farm until after he was of age. He attended the country schools and the academy which was established at South Westerlo. Later he attended Starkey Seminary and after teaching in the country schools for a few years he took the three-year normal course at Antioch College, Yellow Springs, Ohio, the institution made famous by Horace Mann, who was its first president. After teaching a year or two in the public schools a course was taken with the Albany Business College and a year spent as teacher of commercial subjects in the high school at Attica, Indiana, after which Mr. Ramsdell entered the regular business college work with the Goldev College at Wilmington, Delaware.
At the close of the year's work the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Elizabeth C. Van Trump, of Wilmington, Delaware. The next four years were spent with the Drake Business School at Jersey City, N. J.
In 1895 Mr. Ramsdell opened the Ramsdell School in Middletown, N. Y., and for the last twelve years has conducted the school on North street. The school has continued to grow and has attained an excellent reputation in Orange County and vicinity for thorough and efficient work.
JAMES RAZEY, who resides near Florida, Orange County, is one of the representative agriculturists of that section. He was born on a farm near Harnell, Chemung County, N. Y., February 16, 1851. His education was acquired at the district school and Alfred University. He removed to Elmira, where he was engaged in art work for a period of ten years. From Elmira he removed to Chester, N. Y., and purchased the "Broadview" farm, which he successfully conducted for ten years. He built the unique Razey cottage at Chester, which is one of the artistic houses in the county. His father died August 6, 1864, of yellow fever. His mother's name was Abigail Withey. There were four children in his parents' family. Our subject married Susan, daughter of David R. and Anna Feagles. Their three children are Ethel Denton, aged twenty-three years; Danforth, aged twenty years, and James Lester, aged seventeen years. Mr. Razey married for his second wife Mrs. Phoebe J. Smith, of Florida, October 16, 1906. He occupies a dairy farm of one hundred and sixty acres.
Mr. Razey is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Chester and in politics is a republican.
CHARLES IRA REDFIELD, M. D., was born in the town of Wallkill, Orange County, January 31, 1873. He is a son of Foster C., died February 6, 1875, and Sarah Louise (Fanning) Redfield, still living. The subject of this sketch attained his early education at the Wallkill Academy and graduated in 1891. He also attended the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania of 1891-4, graduating June 7, 1894. In the fall of 1894 he attended the Presbyterian Hospital outpatient department of Philadelphia, Pa., until February, 1895. In the spring of 1895 he opened an office in Middletown. He is now visiting physician of the Thrall Hospital. He has served as secretary of the New York State Medical Association 1904-5. Secretary Orange County Medical Association 1901-4, and was president Orange County Medical Society during 1905. He is a charter member of the B. C. Hirst Obstetrical Society of Philadelphia, Pa. He is a member of Hoffman Lodge, No. 412, F. and A. M.; Midland Chapter, R. A. M., No. 240, and Cypress Commandery, No. 67. He was one of the organizers of the physicians' club of Middletown; a member of Middletown University Club, National Geographic Society, American Society of Sanitary and Moral Prophylaxis, and a member of the board of education. He was health officer in 1898 and is a member and a trustee of the Second Presbyterian Church. Dr. Redfield married Miss Ira Anna Louise Barker, of Roxbury, Mass., October 20, 1897.