Ramsey Homestead

Ramsey Homestead. . , The Charles Grant Ramsey family on the front porch of their home which was located on this site facing Greentree Road. Pictured in this photograph, circa 1908, are Mr. Charles Ramsey, his wife Amelia (Mohlman) and their five daughters: Dora, Eva, Marie, Mildred and Emma. The house was built circa 1870 and was razed in 1963. Charles (1865-1937) and Amelia (1865-1962) were lifelong residents of the Borough., Mr. Ramsey's parents, John (1820-1883) and Elizabeth Frew (1823-1885) were both born and raised in Green Tree. "Charles' grandparents, John (1780-1864) and Mary Fullerton (1791-1881), came to Pittsburgh in 1818 from Tyrone County, Ireland. John was engaged for some time in the grading business in the city but later purchased a farm of 125 acres three miles out on the Washington Turnpike..." 1 now Greentree Road. Upon John Sr.'s death, his son, John Jr., inherited a portion of the land and later built this house. John Jr. was the first of the Ramsey family born in the United States. Amelia's parents were Henry (1833-1919) and Wilhelmina (1838-1918) Mohlman, who were both born in Prussia and immigrated to the United States in 1855. Her father owned and operated a blacksmith/wagon making shop in Green Tree which was located at the corner of Greentree Road and Western Avenue., Early census records list Charles Ramsey's occupation as Farmer, and in later years as Storekeeper. He operated the Ramsey store in Green Tree (see right) from 1896 until his death. The Ramseys were members of Mount Pisgah Presbyterian Church, where Charles' grandparents were wed. John Jr. and Charles both served in leadership roles there and were "pillars of that church." 1, "As a life resident, Mr. Ramsey loved the district of Green Tree, was warm in his affection for it, and enthusiastic in its development. His interest in it never knew doubt nor change. He new the hills, its valleys, and its people. He watched it grow from farm to settled district and for those who evidenced an interest could weave many a story of the borough's growth and development. His interest in it extended to the field of service and he served for one term as councilman and two terms as a member of the school board." 1, 1 Charles Ramsey funeral address, July 7, 1937., (Sidebar):, The Ramsey Store located on Greentree Road, near the present 1-376 Parkway West Interchange, was built in 1869 by James Ramsey (Charles' brother). James operated the store until his death in 1883 at which time his wife, Maggie, ran the store until her death in 1896. "The building was originally on the other side of the road. The moving and turning of this building and placing it on its present foundation was considered a rare feat of engineering at the time". 2 The store had one of the first telephones in Green Tree and for many years the store housed the Green Tree post office. "A country store like this in those days was a gathering place for the community where the old walls resounded to many an argument as the problems of the day were discussed." 2, 2 Chartiers Times article by Jane Lampe, September 30, 1937.