A. C. Ramsey, one of the extensive cattlemen of Butler county at one time, and now one of the large land owners of the county, has had an unusual career. Mr. Ramsey is a native of Ohio, and was born in Coshocton county, June 7, 1837, of Scotch-Irish descent, his parents being natives of the northern part of Ireland. A. C. was one of a large family, and his parents were poor, and thus his opportunities to obtain an education were limited. When he was quite young his father died and his mother removed from Cothocton county to Guernsey county, Ohio, and A. C. went to western Ohio, where he was employed by a fur trader for one year, receiving for his services for the year $100, and at the end of that time he had saved $80 out of his earnings, after which time he was engaged in the merchandise trade. He was a keen, close observer when a boy, a faculty which he has not only retained throughout life, but developed to a marked degree, and during the time he was employed by the fur dealer, there were few details in connection with that business but what he learned thoroughly. A. C. and his brother opened a general merchandise store at Belle Center, Ohio, and in connection with the mercantile business engaged in buying furs. A. C. Ramsey rode through the wilderness of western Ohio and eastern Indiana buying furs from hunters and trappers and establishing agencies, and for fifteen years did a large and profitable business in the fur trade, while his brother looked after the management of their store at Belle Center, which had developed into a large mercantile institution. They also bought and sold grain, seeds, wools, etc., on a large scale.

Mr. Ramsey disposed of his interests in Ohio in 1883, with several thousand dollars to the good, and then began to seek fields of investment with greater possibilities. He saw an opportunity in the West, and became interested in Butler county. He and four other gentlemen organized the Buckeye Land and Cattle Company. This company acquired something like 7,000 acres of land, most of which was located in Lincoln township, Butler county, and it extended into Sycamore and Chelsea townships. The land cost from $3 to $8 an acre. The principal idea, of the company was to pasture Texas cattle here. The price for pasturing cattle in those days ranged from $1.25 to $2 per head for the season, beginning April 20 and ending on the middle of October. The company did a large business, but after a time unforseen obstacles developed, and the company was discontinued as an organized unit, and

since that time Mr. Ramsey has been operating in the cattle business independently, after having been manager and a heavy stockholder in the Buckeye Land and Cattle Company for several years.

A. C. Ramsey married Margaret Clark, a native of Ohio, and seven children, five boys and two girls, were born to this union. Mr. Ramsey has divided a part of his place among his sons, who are now conducting the stock business on an extensive scale. A. C. and George A. operated in partnership from 1905 to 1912, but are now carrying on business independently. The Ramsey ranch consists of twelve sections in Lincoln township, and is one of the large ranches remaining in Butler county. A. C. Ramsey has retired from the cattle business.

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