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Baxter was born upon the farm which he inherited as an adult, in Cranberry township. He attended the public schools of Cranberry Township, but the death of his father, when he was only 14 years of age, placed heavy responsibilities on him. He took charge of the home farm and was one of the areas leading young farmers.

Baxter and Maggie had 63 acres of excellent farming land which had two producing oil wells on it. Baxter had other business interests, and was a stockholder in the Bury & Markle hardware store in Evans City. They were both members of Evans City United Presbyterian church. Baxter was one of the leading Democrats of his community, like his father and grandfather. He served as school director and was also a member of the board of elections in his district. He belonged to the Knights of Pythias lodge at Evans City and was a member of Cranberry Grange, Number 908, Patrons of Husbandry along with Maggie, his wife.

Maggie died in 1909, and the 1910 census shows that Baxter's sister, Euphemia had apparently moved in to help with the raising of the children. Euphemia was still there in the 1920 census, which was the last census that Baxter would have been listed.

From Mom Sutton's notes:

Baxter, the 8th child and 4th son of Anthony and Elizabeth McGeorge Ramsey, was born 30 August 1865 on the farm in Cranberry Township where he continued to reside. When he was born Elizabeth was 16, Mary Jane was 15, Addison was 121/2, John was 10, Euphemia was 81/2 and Edwin was 31/2 years old. He belonged to one of the pioneer families of Butler County and was considered one of Cranberry Township's leading young farmers. He attended the public schools, but the death of his father when he was only 14 years of age placed heavy responsibility on him. The 1870 census lists him as age 5. The 1880 census lists him as age 14 still at home. He took charge of the home farm: 63 acres of excellent farming land and he had two producing oil wells. He was a stockholder in the Burry and Markle hardware store in Evans City and had other business interests.

He is mentioned in his mother's will (filed 8 January 1885) to receive "one bed and bedstead and one-sixth of all the books to be divided". He married Margaret (Maggie) Garvin 25 May 1893 when he was nearly 28 years old and they had 5 children. He was a member of the Evans City United Presbyterian Church and a leading Democrat of the community. He was also a member of Cranberry Grange, No. 908, Patrons of Husbandry. The Butler County History 1909 notes: "For the past 6 years he served as school director and member of the board of elections in his district, and is also a member of Knights of Pythias lodge at Evans City. He must have had a nice sense of humor: on the back of two pictures I have he wrote on hers "Mrs. B. R. Ramsey Evans City R ED. 33" (what does 33 mean?) and the one of him "B. R. Ramsey, with lady of same name"!

The 1920 census lists him as a farmer, age 54 who owned his house free of mortgage. He was widowed and three of his children were still at home. At this time, his sister Euphemia (62) was also living with him. He died 28 October 1922 at the age of 57 and is buried in the Evans City Cemetery.

References

Last data update: May 13, 2026

1870 United States Census Document, Butler County, PA, Cranberry Township, Enumeration date: 11 Jul 1870, line 29 Citation post date: 2009-07-09

1880 United States Census Document, Butler County, PA, Cranberry Township, Enumeration date: 7-8 Jun 1880, line 7 Citation post date: 2026-05-08

1900 United States Census document, Butler County, PA, Cranberry Township, Enumeration date: 5 Jun 1900, line 50 Citation post date: 2009-07-09

1910 United States Census Document, Butler County, PA, Cranberry Township, Enumeration date: 30 Apr 1910, line 53 Citation post date: 2009-07-09

1920 United States Census Document, Butler County, PA, Cranberry Township, Enumeration date: 2 Feb 1920, line 15 Citation post date: 2009-07-09

Find A Grave internet website for grave markers, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/44036524/baxter-r-ramsey Citation post date: 2025-08-20

Personal genealogical research information and notes provided by Grace (Ramsey) Sutton, Written genealogical records Citation post date: 2006-07-02