606. John B.⁸ Ramsdell (Gideon⁷, Gideon⁶, John⁵, Gideon⁴, Thomas³, Daniel², Joseph¹) was born in Bristol,Trumbull Co, OH 21 May 1841.

He married Louise Huntley 1868 in Bristol, Ohio. Louise was the daughter of Calvin Huntley. Louise died 4 August 1889.

John was left an orphan at the early age of three years, and was reared by his uncle, Edson Hescock, who married Gideon Ramsdell's sister. Mr. Hescock was a man highly respected in this county, and he did a good part by the little orphan who had come into his home. At the age of sixteen John began to learn the trade of shoemaker, that being Mr. Hescock's trade, and under him he served an apprenticeship. When the Civil War came on, John's ambitions young spirit was fired with patriotism, and he at once responded to his country's call for troops, enlisting at Bristol, 2 August 1862, in Company B, One Hundred and Fifth Ohio Infantry. His great grandfather had served in the Revolutionary War and his grandfather in the War of 1812, and his record in the Civil War is one which his posterity may well be proud. At Lincoln's call for "300,000 more", he enlisted in Company B, One Hundred and Fifth Ohio Infantry, and his service covered a period of about three years; two years and eight months of which time he served as color guard. He was in the Battle of Perryville; was at Milton, Tennessee, and made a forced march of 120 miles to Stone River, arriving at that place too late to take part in the battle. He also took his share of service at Chickamunga, Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, Ringgold, Dalton, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, New Hope Church, Peach Tree Creek; assisting at the seige of Atlanta, was in the famous raid after General Hood, returning to Atlanta by way of Rome and Kingston, this being the second visit to Kingston. At Atlanta the company again joined Sherman's main Army. After burning Atlanta they started for Savannah, Georgia, taking part in the battles of Thomas Station and Waynesboro before arriving at Savannah. After staying in Savannah a month for supplies and for rest, which was greatly needed, as they had been without communication for a period of seventy days, they took up the line of march through the Carolinas, and were present at the capture and burning of Columbia, South Carolina. They then marched to Goldsboro, where they rested for two weeks, receiving supplies and communications. Leaving this place for Raleigh, North Carolina, they were met by the officials of the city, who surrendered it without resistance. After a week's rest they left for Holly Springs, waiting at this place for the terms of surrender to be made between General Johnson and General Sherman at Greensboro, North Carolina. After the surrender of Johnson, there being no resistance, they marched to Richmond, Virginia. After viewing the places of interest in the city during a stay of a week they left for Washington, District of Columbia, where they had a grand review of the army of the Potomic and Sherman's Army. Thus ended the famous march which was begun at Atlanta, Georgia, November 7, 1864, and ended May 19 at Washington. General Sherman is authority in stating the distance traveled to have been 1,500 miles. John was slightly wounded by a ball at Perryville. He received a sunstroke while in the service, and is now the recipient of a pension.

After his honorable discharge at Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. Ramsdell returned to Trumbull county. About a year and a half later he went to Indianola, Iowa, where he was engaged in business two years. At the end of which time he returned to Ohio, and to the home of his uncle and aunt, whom he cared for until the time of thier death, repaying in a measure for the kindness they had bestowed on him.

Mr. Ramsdell has been married twice. In 1868, at Bristol, Ohio, he wedded Louise Huntley, a native of Canangaigna, New York, daughter of Calvin Huntley. Five children were born to them. [see below] Mrs. Ramsdell died August 4, 1889. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a woman whose pure Christian character was admired by all who knew her.

At Bloomfield, Trumbull county, Ohio, March 20, 1892, Mr. Ramsdell was wedded the second time, being united to Mrs. Emma J. Towns, whose former home was Olean, New York, and a native of the state. A relative, on the maternal side, of Col. Dou Piatt, Mrs. Towns was the widow of a soldier who was killed at the seige of Charleston, South Carolina, and buried at that place.

Mr. Ramsdell is an ardent Republican, and member of Boks Post, no. 2, G.A.R., at Bristol. He took an active part in organizing that post. He was made a member of Masonic Rural Lodge, F. & A. M., Bloomfield, Ohio, in 1867, and was at one time associated with the order of America Mechanics. He has all the charactaristics of the old soldier, is frank, cordial, genial, and is well liked by all who know him.

John B. Ramsdell and Louise Huntley had the following children:

812 i. Eva J.⁹ Ramsdell was born About 1869. Eva died 1888 at 19 years of age.

813 ii. Bert E. Ramsdell was born About 1871.

814 iii. Frank H. Ramsdell was born About 1873. Frank died 1888 at 15 years of age.

815 iv. Child Ramsdell was born Abouit 1875. Child died 1875 at less than one year of age.

816 v. Child Ramsdell was born About 1877. Child died 1877 at less than one year of age.

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