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E. Ruth Pyrtle
For over 50 years E. Ruth Pyrtle has lived in Nebraska, and for much of that time has taken an active part in the educational life of Lincoln: She was born at Charleston, West Virginia, the daughter of James Allan and Elizabeth Sarah (Davis) Pyrtle. Her father, who was born in Henry County, Virginia, May 14, 1837, was a Virginia planter who served in the Confederate Army in the Civil War and was a participant in the battles of Gettysburg and Petersburg. He was the great grandson of John Pyrtle who served in the 8th Virginia regiment in the Revolutionary War. He died at Plum Creek, Nebraska, December, 1875.
Her mother, who was born in Franklin County. Virginia, July 2, 1841, was an active church worker, was a member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, and was a woman's sufferage advocate. She was the great granddaughter of Charles and Ann (Dent) Davis, of Charles County, Maryland; Charles Davis was a soldier in the Revolution. She was the daughter of Sampson J. and Basheha (Turner) Davis; the latter's grandfather served in the Revolution. She died at Lincoln, Lancaster County, Nebraska, January 10, 1898.
Miss Pyrtle attended the elementary schools at Lexington, Nebraska, and was graduated from the Lexington High School. Later she was a student at the University of Nebraska, where she was awarded the A. B. degree, 1904; A. M., 1909. She is a member of Pi Gamma Mu. She studied for three summers at Columbia University at New York.
From 1924 to 1929, she was chairman of the National Educational Association Retirement Committee. In 1927, she was made president of the department of the Elementary School Principals of the National Educational Association; she served as president of the latter organization in 1929-30. She is principal of the Bancroft School at Lincoln.
Miss Pyrtle is the author of Early Virginia Families, Pyrtle-Davis-Turner-Marlin, 1930. She has written numerous magazine articles on educational topics. In 1922, she was a candidate for state superintendent of schools in Nebraska. She served as general secretary of the Young Women's Christian Association in Des Moines, Iowa, and at Camp Dodge, where she was in charge of women's welfare activities during the World War. She is a member of Deborah Avery Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
She is a member of the Red Cross, the Community Chest Organ of Lincoln, and the Social Welfare Society. She is a member of the Lincoln Woman's Club; the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce; and the Lincoln School Forum. She holds membership in the following organizations: Nebraska Woman's Educational Club; Nebraska State Teachers Association; National Council of Education of the National Education Association; and the Young Women's Christian Association. She has served on the board of the latter for the past four years.
She is affiliated with the League of Women Voters and the Nebraska Writers' Guild. She is a member of the Bruner Bird Club. She is a member of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church at Lincoln, Nebraska. Her hobbies are hiking in the out of doors and the study of birds. Residence: Lincoln.
Loren Edwin Pyzer
Loren Edwin Pyzer was born at Elmwood, Nebraska, January 7, 1871, son of Alfred and Orilla (May) Pyzer. His father was born in England, came to America as a young man and served in the Civil War. He died at Elmwood in November, 1895. His wife, Orilla, was born in Cowell, Ohio, April 19, 1841, and died at Elmwood in 1873.
Mr. Pyzer attended country school, and until the last sixteen years of his life engaged in farming. He was then elected treasurer of McPherson County on the Republican ticket, serving eight years. He died at Tryon January 12, 1929. Mr. Pyzer was an outstanding citizen of his community. He was a member of the Odd Fellows and the Woodmen of the World, and in 1910 became a member of the Christian Church.
He was married on October 30, 1887, to Mary Esther Wood, daughter of Hiram N. and Martha (Foulks) Wood at Weeping Water. Hiram N. Wood was born in Malone, New York, and Mrs. Wood was born in Ohio. Mrs. Pyzer was born at Boscobel, Wisconsin, April 12, 1868. Her ancestors came from England before the Revolutionary War. There are five children, Walter, born August 30, 1888, who married Nellie Dohbins: Earl. born November 20, 1891, who married Merle Hall; Lisle Nelson, born January 13, 1896, who married Erma Childerson; Gladys, born February 27, 1897, who married Omer Dobbins; and Harry, born December 13, 1906, who married Dora Newberry. Residence: Tyron.
Daniel Thomas Quigley
Daniel Thomas Quigley, physician and surgeon, was born at Bamboo, Wisconsin, June 27, 1876, and has been a resident of Nebraska for the past twenty-seven years. He is the son of Thomas Bartlett Quigley, born at Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland, March 10, 1840, who came to America in 1948. He was a farmer, and held the rank of colonel in the Civil War, in which he served in the Union Army. He died at Hot Springs, South Dakota, April 15, 1899. His wife, Elizabeth (Durnin) Quigley was born at Dundalk, Province of Ulster, Ireland, February 8, 1852, and is still living.
Dr. Quigley was graduated from the Lennox High School in 1896, and from Rush Medical College in 1902, with the degree of M. D. He took post graduate work at the University of Vienna, in 1913.
He was married to Helen Seyferth, at North Platte, on June 15, 1904. Mrs. Quigley was born at North Platte, December 8, 1883. She is of German descent, some of her paternal ancestors having been officers in the German army. They have one son, Thomas Bartlett, born May 24, 1908, who is a medical student at Harvard Medical College.
Since 1903, Dr. Quigley has been engaged in active practice in Omaha. He is the author of the first papers ever written on the following three subjects: Focal Infection as a Cause for Rheumatism (1907); Treatment of Surgical Tuberculosis by Sunshine (1908); and Use of Sphygmomanometer by the General Practitioner and Surgeon (blood pressure determination; 1908. In addition he is the author of Conquest of Cancer, a book (1929) and numerous articles in medical journals.
Since 1920 he has been medical director of the Radium Hospital. In 1908 he organized the Nebraska State Health Officers Association, and he served as its president four years. He is a member of the American Medical Association, the Nebraska State and Omaha-Douglas County Medical Associations, the American College of Surgeons, the American College of Radiology, the American Radium Society, Radiological Society of North America, and the American Medical Authors and Editors Association. His civic and commercial organizations include the Chamber of, Commerce, the American Aeronautics Association, the Rotary Club, and the Interprofessional Institute. He is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and is instructor in surgery at the University of Nebraska Medical College. His clubs are the University Club, the Omaha Club, and the Omaha Country Club. His sport is golf. Residence: Omaha.
William Byran Quigley
William Bryan Quigley, lawyer, was born at Valentine, Nebraska, January 29, 1899. He received his Bach-
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elor of Laws dgree (sic) from the University of Nebraska where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta.
Since his admission to the bar, Mr. Quigley has been engaged in active practice. He served in the United States Army during the World War. Residence: Valentine.
Friedrich A. Rabe
Friedrich A. Rabe, educator and clergyman of Lincoln, was born at Wenden, Hannover, Germany, July 1, 1863. His father, Heinrich F. Rabe, who was born at Wenden, in 1836, and died there in 1884, was a farmer, and was active in political affairs, serving as mayor of his community for years; his ancestors settled at Wenden, in 1600, and members of the Rabe family have lived there since that date. Marie S. (Hahne) Rabe, mother of Friedrich A. Rabe, was born at Wenden, February 1, 1837, and died there, December 5, 1876.
Dr. Rabe attended elementary schools in Germany, 1869-77; the gymnasium, 1877-84; and the University of Goettingen, 1884-1887. He received the D. D. degree from Midland College at Fremont, Nebraska, May 29, 1930. He was elected to membership in Akademische Sangerschaft, and Akademische Turnerschaft in Germany.
From 1906 to 1914, he was pastor at Bloomfield, Nebraska, and from 1914-30, was pastor of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, at Lincoln. He is now professor of German, Hebrew, and the Old Testament, at the Martin Luther Seminary at Lincoln. He is the author of numerous short stories and several poems, published in the volume Blumen c/er Praerie. He is affiliated with St. John's Lutheran Church, and holds membership in the Nebraskana Society.
His marriage to Emma W. Feldmann was solemnized at Wartjenstedt, Hannover, Germany, January 5, 1893. Mrs. Rabe, whose father was a clergyman, was born at Bierbergen, Hannover, Germany, November 26, 1870. Her cousin, Wilhelm Feldmann, was an inventor and was the builder of the Schwebebahn, of Elberfeld-Barmen. Four children were born to their marriage: Friedrich, born June 14, 1896, who married Florence Weiss; Elizabeth, born October 3, 1897, who married Dr. W. H. Werkmeister of the department of philosophy at the University of Nebraska; Wilhelm, born October 24, 1900, who married Gertrude Wittstruck; and Heinrich, born in 1905 who died the same year. Friedrieh was graduated from the University of Nebraska, mechanical engineering department, with the degree A. B.; was connected with the Westinghouse factory; was an instructor at Yale University, where he received his M. E. degrees; served as consulting engineer in New York; and is now chief engineer in St. Louis.
Wilhelm was graduated from the University of Nebraska with the A. B. degree, and is now an engineer in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Elizabeth received her A. B. degree at the University of Nebraska. Residence: Lincoln.
George A. Racely
George A. Racely, dental surgeon, was born at Center, Nebraska, April 7, 1889, son of Robert and Katie Eva (Jewell) Racely. His father, who was born in Pennsylvania, January 19, 1858, was descended from a family by the name of Root who came to America with William Penn. He is a retired merchant. His wife, Katie, was born in Michigan, July 14, 165 (sic), of English extraction.
Upon his graduation from the public schools of Pender, Mr. Racely attended Bellevue Academy until 1910. He received the Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nebraska in 1916, and the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Nebraska in 1927. While there he was chairman of the Junior Prom, assistant manager of the Cornhusker, a member of the Spikes and the Viking and of Phi Gamma Delta and Xi Psi Phi. Active in athletics, he was a member of the track and football team, was head freshman coach in 1915, and assistant freshman coach 1923, 1924, and 1926.
He was a teacher and athletic coach for five years, an a salesman of hardware and furniture for three years. Since his admission in 1927 he has been in active dental practice.
On November 24, 1920, he was married to Lida Ione Couch at Fremont. Mrs. Racely is descended from Thomas Couch, a member of Washington's army of the Revolution. They have two children, Elizabeth Jean, born November 26, 1921, and George Jackson, born December 3, 1924. Mrs. Racely is past vice president of the Nebraska State Dental Auxiliary, is secretary of the American Legion Auxiliary, and secretary of the D. A. R. She attended the University of Nebraska, and is affiliated with the Westminster Presbyterian Church at Lincoln.
Dr. Racely is a Republican. He was a member of the University of Nebraska Cadet Corps, and at one time held the rank of first lieutenant in the Missouri National Guard. During the late war he was captain in the 59th Artillery Brigade, now retired. He is a member of time Disabled Emergency Officers of the World War, the American Legion, and the state committee of national defense. He is now mayor of Crawford (1932-34).
Dr. Racely's religious affiliation is with Westminster Presbyterian Church at Lincoln. He is a member of the American Dental Associaton (sic) and the Executive Council of the Nebraska State Dental Society. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Masons (Scottish Rite of Lincoln; Sesostris Temple of the Shrine). His favorite sports are fishing and huntng (sic) while his hobby is motoring. Residence: Crawford.
Wilbur A. Racely
Born in Blue Mounds, Wisconsin, July 10, 1885, Wilbur A. Racely is the son of Reuben Andrew Racely and Kate (Minnix) Racely. His father was born in Pennsylvania, May 10, 1855, and his ancestors were born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He was a farmer, and his father was a merchant. His mother was born in Wisconsin, and died in Pender, on January 3, 1931.
Wilbur Racely attended the Pender public schools and then the University of Nebraska from which he received his Bachelor of Science degree. He was an Acacia and a Phi Gamma Delta; he was also on the tennis team. He married Jennie Gervena McHerron in Yankton, South Dakota, and to this union four children were born: Jack, born March 22, 1916; Clay, born September 27, 1917; Jeanne, born February 3, 1920; and W. Erle, born August 13, 1926.
Mr. Racely belongs to the following fraternal organizations: the Elks, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. Knight Templers, Modern Woodman of America, and is a Shriner. He is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church and the Republican party, belongs to the Pender school board, and is a member of the Nebraskana Society. Mr. Racely is interested in golf, football and tennis. Residence: Pender.
Gerard V. Rademacher
Gerard V. Rademacher was born at Crete, Nebraska, January 21, 1889, the son of Frank Joseph and Mary (Pavlik) Rademacher. His father, who was a furniture dealer and undertaker, was born at Olpe, Germany, April 22, 1845, and died at Crete, April 7, 1926; he was the son of Johann Rademacher and Catherine (Kramer) Rademacher. His mother was born at Volenic, Bohemia, February 3, 1852, and died at Crete, November 22, 1922.
Mr. Rademacher attended St. James Parochial School at Crete, was graduated from Crete High Schol (sic) in 1906,
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and in 1910 received the A. B. and B. S. degrees at Creighton University. He was awarded the A. M. degree in 1912 and the LL. B. degree in 1913 at the Omaha Law College where he was elected to membership in Gamma Eta Gamma. He was admitted to the bar in 1913. Since his graduation from school he has been engaged in the furniture and udertaking (sic) business at Crete.
He is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America, the Rotary Club, Crete Community Club, the Nebraskana Society, and the Red Cross. He holds membership in the Nebraska Funeral Directors Association, Federation of Nebraska Retailers, and the Crete Building & Loan Association of which he is a director. He is affiliated with St. James Parish of the Catholic Church and was formerly a member of the Knights of Columbus.
During the World War Mr. Rademacher served as corporal in the infantry, training troops and detached service, and in the officers' training school at Camp Pike, Arkansas. He is a member of American Legion Post Number 147 at this time. His chief recreations are golfing and reading.
Since the beginning of the state the Rademacher family has been prominent in Saline County, Nebraska. Frank Joseph Rademacher, father of Gerard Rademacher, learned the trade of cabinet making, draftsmanship, and architectural drawing, in Germany, and traveled through the entire country as an apprentice, studying at the various industrial centers. In 1868 he came to America and remained at Detroit, Michigan until 1870 when he moved to Nebraska and settled at Crete before the railroad was built.
His wife, Mary Pavlik, was the daughter of Adalbert Pavlik (1824-85) and Josephine (Bass) Pavlik (1824-1901) who came to this country in 1868 and settled in Maryland. In 1969 they moved to Nebraska City, Nebraska, and the following spring homesteaded in Lancaster County.
Both Frank and Mary Rademacher were prominent at Crete for many years; the former was in business there for 56 years, was a member of the school board, and was one of the organizers of St. James Parish. Residence: Crete.
Boyd Clyde Radford
Boyd Radford, a lifelong resident of this state, was born at Newark, Nebraska, February 2, 1884, the son of William H. and Lizzie M. Radford. His father, who is a farmer, was born in Heresfordshire, England, September 16, 1850, moved to Canada with his parents in his early childhood, and in 1873 homesteaded in Kearney County, Nebraska. His mother was born at Leesville, Ohio, September 19, 1861, of German parentage. She came to Nebraska in 1872, with two elder brothers, and took an active part in early western settlement.
Mr. Radford attended a rural school and studied in a private business college for two years. He has been a farmer in Kearney County all his life and since 1916, has served as secretary of the Nebraska Polled Hereford Breeders Association. He is a member of the Parent-Teachers' Association, is president of the school board at Newark, Nebraska, and holds membership in the Masonic bodies and the Modern Woodmen of America. During the World War he was active in the conservation of foodstuffs for the allied armies, and liberally contributed to loan funds. He is interested in music and holds membership in four community bands. His favorite sport is baseball.
On December 25, 1906, he married Edna M. Gormley, at Minden. Mrs. Radford, who is the daughter of a pioneer sheriff in Nebraska, was born at Lowell, Nebraska, November 24, 1886. They have ten children: Doris and Dallas, born October 29, 1907; Harold, born October 4, 1909; Ethel, born May 1, 1911; Alice, born January 11, 1915; Neal, born February 16, 1918; Marion, born December 5, 1919; Norman, born November 7, 1920; Robert, born February 19, 1921; and Rex, born June 4, 1931. Residence: Newark.
Franz Christopher Radke
Franz C. Radke, lawyer, judge, and political leader of Tecumseh, Nebraska, was born at Wynot, June 23, 1889. His father, Carl Radke, who was born in Germany, and died near Wynot July 23, 1897, was a carpenter and farmer.
Mr. Radke attended the Cedar County district schools, and Hartington High School one year, after which he was a student at the Wayne Normal College. In 1914, he was graduated from the University of Nebraska with the A. B. degree, and in 1917 was awarded his LL, B. In 1909-10, he taught in a country school in Burt County, Nebraska. Upon his admission to the bar, June 11, 1917, he entered the practice of law at Hartington as a member of the firm of Burkett & Radke. In 1921 he moved to Tecumseh, where he is active in the legal field, and at present is city attorney of that city.
A Democrat, he was a member of the Nebraska legislature in 1917; was a member of the Nebraska constitutional convention, 1919-20; was county judge of Johnson County, 1925-29; and in 1930 was defeated for nomination as attorney general in the Democratic primary. He was private secretary to Governor Charles W. Bryan, 1923-24.
His marriage to Magdelene Craft was solemnized at Lincoln, June 26, 1921. Mrs. Radka, who was born at Tecumseh, August 8, 1893, is a lawyer. She is a member of the board of education and is president of the library board at Tecumseh. She was elected a member of the board of directors of Nebraska Writers Guild in November, 1930. She is also a member of the Quill Club of Lincoln. There are two children: Joanna Magdelene, born May 28, 1923; and Mark Francis, born December 24, 1928.
In August, 1917, Mr. Radke enlisted in the World War, was made second lieutenant in November, 1917; was stationed at Camp Dodge, Iowa, 1917-18; and in July, 1918, was promoted to rank of first lieutenant. He was trial judge advocate of general courts martial, and was active in victory loan and liberty loan drives.
He is a member of Kenneth A. Curtis Post No. 2 of the American Legion, the Tecumseh Chamber of Commerce, the Kiwanis Club, the Nebraska State Historical Society, and the Nebraskana Society. He is first vice president of the Native Sons and Daughters of Nebraska, and is on the board of directors of the Nebraska division of the Isaak Walton League. He is a member of the following organizations: Nebraska State Bar Association; American Judicature Society; Johnson County Bar Association; and Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Lodge No. 17 at Tecumseh, and Scottish Rite Temple at Lincoln. Mr. Radke's hobby is the study of history and Nebraska aboriginal archeology. Residence: Tecumseh.
Frank L. Rain
A leading professional man in Fairbury, Nebraska, Frank L. Rain, was born at Marshall, Texas, August 5, 1877, the son of Frank M. Rain and Kate (Smith) Rain. His father, a railroad man, was born at Piqua, Ohio, in November, 1854, and died at Fairbury, Jefferson County, in October, 1856.
Frank
Rain was graduted (sic) from the Fairbury High School in 1895 and then attended
the University of Nebraska, where he received an A. B. degree. He also attended
the University of Michigan, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. There
he was made a member of the Phi Delta Phi. At the University of Nebraska he
was a member of Beta Theta Pi. On December 25, 1907, at Fairbury, Nebraska,
he was united in marriage to Madge Merrell, who was born at Roca, Nebraska.
They have two children: Francis M., born August 22, 1909; and
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Maxine, born September 14, 1910.
Mr. Rain has been city attorney of Fairbury for twelve years, and county attorney of Jefferson County for thirteen years. He served as mayor two years and has lived in Nebraska since 1893. At the present time is a member of the law firm of Barnes and Rain.
Affiliated with the Presbyterian Church he is also a member of the Red Cross, and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of which he was grand, exalted ruler, in 1919-20. He is an Ancient Free and Accepted Mason and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. His clubs are the Lincoln University Club and the Fairbury Country Club. Residence: Fairbury.
Claude Raitt
Claude Raitt was born in Prague, Nebraska, March 7, 1887, the son of James Darward Raitt and Elizabeth, (Abbott) Raitt. His father was born in Arbroith, Scotland, October 3, 1840, and came to this country in July, 1871. He was captain on a ship. Elizabeth Abbott Raitt was born in Glamis, Scotland, August 30, 1843. Her husband died at David City, Nebraska, July 22, 1917.
Claude Raitt attended Wesleyan University one year. He married Tillie Belle Curry, March 3, 1909, at Garrison, Nebraska. Mrs. Raitt was born in Garrison, October 20, 1887. They have four children: Irene Curry, born October 12, 1912, Dean David, born October 27, 1915. Clarabelle, born May 20, 1919, and Richard Claude, born January 12, 1924, who are all at home.
Mr. Raitt is a democrat, and he and his family are affiliated with the Methodist Church. He belongs to the Red Cross, Odd Fellows, is treasurer of the Parent-Teachers' Association in Rising City, Nebraska, and has served on the school board for a number of years.
Baseball is Mr. Raitt's favorite sport. He has lived in Nebraska forty-four years, and is a member of the Nebraskana Society. Residence: Rising City.
Robert Rakow
Robert Rakow, son of William Fredriek and Johanna (Koeppe) Rakow, was born in Martinsburg, Nebraska, May 22, 1878. His father, William, was born in Schoenwalde, Pomerania, Germany, December 29, 1836, and died at Martinsburg, February 7, 1904. His wife, Johanna, was born in Schoenwalde, June 28, 1840, and died at Martinsburg, October 16, 1887.
Educated in public school, Robert Rakow has been a farmer since young manhood. On April 9, 1902, he was united in marriage to Mary Schultz, at Martinsburg. Mrs. Rakow was born there on September 6, 1881. They have one son, Kermit, born September 1, 1905, who married Anna Eva Reineccius.
Mr. Rakow is a Republican, and a member of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church of Martinsburg. Residence: Ponea.
William Fred Rakow
A retired farmer since 1919, William Fred Rakow was born in Pomerania, Germany, December 29, 1863, son of William and Annie (Cappey) Rakow. William Rakow, Sr., was born in Pomerania, December 29, 1834, and farmed in Nebraska until his death at Martinsburg, in February, 1901. His wife, was born in Germany, in 1850, died at Martinsburg, in March, 1890.
Mr. Rakow attended the public schools of Martinsburg, and engaged in farming until his retirement as above. He is a Republican, and a member of the Lutheran Church and the Nebrasknna Society. His favorite sport is golf.
On April 17, 1888, he was united in marriage to Augusta Stark, at Martinsberg. Mrs. Rakow was born in Germany, August 12, 1869, and is a prominent church woman.
There are four children: Jessie, born January 16, 1889, who married Wilmer Harper; Edna, born November 5, 1890, who married Carl Anderson; Alice, born November 22, 1894, who married Walter Krause; and Gene, born February 22, 1891, who married Goldie Forman. Residence: Allen.
Sanford Eugene Ralsten
For the past 47 years Sanford Eugene Ralsten has lived in Nebraska, where he has been a farmer, merchant, postmaster and insurance man. He was born in Lewis County, New York, May 2, 1859, the son of George and Emily (McCarty) Ralsten. His father, who was born in New York, and died at Lincoln, in August, 1905, was a farmer and was descended from Scotch and Dutch ancestors. His mother was born of Irish-Canadian and New England Yankee parents in New York, and died at Holdrege, in 1922.
Mr. Ralsten has been postmaster at Geneva for the post eight years, and is still serving.
Active in various organizations for community progress, Mr. Raisten is a member of the Red Cross, the Community Club, the Nebraskana Society, and the Young Men's Christian Association. He enjoys golf, while his hobby is reading. During the World War he took an energetic part in loan drives and other wartime projects.
He was married to Ida Ellen Dove at Monmouth, Iowa, on January 16, 1884. Mrs. Ralsten was born in Iowa, January 18, 1861, and died at Parkston, South Dakota, August 24, 1917. She was of English ancestry. One child was born to them, Maxwell, on March 21, 1898. For ten years he was superintendent of mail transfers at the Union Depot in Omaha, and for the past twenty years has been in mail service. Residence: Geneva.
Orville Alfred Ralston
Orville Alfred Ralston, who has been engaged in the practice of dentistry for the past 12 years, was born at Weeping Water, Nebraska, September 9, 1894. Charles A. Ralston, his father, who was a barber, was born in Pennsylvania, of English and Dutch parents, and died at Weeping Water, in 1908. Jeanette (Arnold) Ralston, his mother, was born in Iowa, of Scotch and Irish ancestry.
Dr. Ralston was graduated from the high school at Peru, Nebraska, in 1913, where he was a member of the Dramatic Club, and was active in athletic affairs, and in 1920 was graduated from the University of Nebraska with the D. D. S. degree. He served as grand master of Kappa Sigma in 1919, at the University of Nebraska. Dr. Ralston, who is the author of some articles on dentistry published in professional magazines, has been successfully engaged in the practice of dentistry at Ainsworth, Nebraska, for a number of years.
He is a member of the executive committee of the Ainsworth Chamber of Commerce of which he was vice president, is chairman of the aeronautics committee of the Nebraska American Legion, and holds membership in the Masons, Elks, and Modern Woodmen of America. Dr. Ralston is active in two dental study clubs and holds membership in the National Society of Denture Prosthetists, the American Full Denture Society, American Dental Association, and the Nebraska State Dental Association. He is now serving as mayor of Ainsworth.
During the World War he served as first lieutenant in many engagements overseas, was distinguished in the aviation service, and was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross; he was post commander of the American Legion at one time.
Dr. Ralston's chief outside interest is aviation, and his sports include game fishing and golfing. His marriage to Charlotte Belle Hanna, occurred at Wood Lake, Nebraska, November 20, 1920. Mrs. Ralston, who was born at Wood Lake, September 13, 1895, is descended from
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Scotch family connected with Alexander Hamilton. They have three children: Janet Muriel, born September 23, 1921; Robert, born September 13, 1924; and Patricia, born August 5, 1927. Residence: Ainsworth.
Albert Louis Ramacciotti
Born at Omaha, March 11, 1895, Albert L. Ramacciotti is the son of Hugo Louis and Nellie Ramacciotti. His father was born at Buffalo, New York, in 1855, and died at Omaha, September 7, 1907. Nellie Ramacciotti was born at Council Bluffs, Iowa, December 24, 1871, and is still living.
Upon his graduation from Omaha High School, Mr. Ramacciotti entered Notre Dame University. He attended Creighton University thereafter and received his LL. B. in 1922. He was a member of the debate team, etc., and a member of Gamma Eta Gamma. He has been engaged in active practice since his admission to the bar, and is now a member of the law firm of Reed, Ramacciotti and Robinson. He is a Republican.
On May 4, 1921, he was married to Hazel G. Bishop, at Papillion, Nebraska. Mrs. Ramacciotti was born at Beatrice, March 25, 1902. There are two children, Robert L., born March 29, 1922, and Patricia A., born May 3, 1924.
Mr. Ramacciotti served two years and two months during the World War and is a captain in the U. S. Reserve. He is a member of the Disabled Veterans of America, the American Legion, and the Reserve Officers Asciation (sic). He is a Catholic and attends St. Margaret Mary Church, is a member of the Nebraska State and Omaha-Douglas County Bar Associations and the Knights of Columbus. His club is the Omaha Athletic, and his sport is golf. Residence: Omaha.
George Shelby Ramsay
George Shelby Ramsay, farmer and dairyman, was born at Newton, Iowa, September 28, 1869, and has been a resident of Nebraska fifty-three years. He is the son of George Lucas and Mary Jane (Sims) Ramsey, the former a native of Belvedere, Illinois, born in the early 1800's. He was a farmer, whose Scotch ancestors came to America shortly before his birth. He died at Seward, July 19, 1914. Mary Jane Sims, wife of George Lucas Ramsey, was born at Greencastle, Indiana, February 2, 1851, and died at Seward, November 1, 1921. Primarly a homemaker, she was interested in church work, and was the daughter of early settlers in Iowa.
Educated in the country grade schools, George Shelby Ramsey attended Seward High School, and thereafter engaged in farming. He is a purebred cattle breeder also and is a member of the board of the Seward County Farm Bureau. For twenty-five years he has served as a member of the school board, and was president of the Seward County Fair Board four years, and has been a member for ten years. Mr. Ramsey is interested in mechanics. He is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Red Cross, and is a Modern Woodmen of America and a Mason. He is also a member of the Young Men's Christian Association and the Nebreskana Society.
On December 26, 1895, he was united in marriage to Jennie Frances Hickman at Seward. Mrs. Ramsey was born in Seward, May 16, 1870. Her father was a veteran of the Civil War, and her mother active in the suffrage and prohibition movements. They were of Scotch-Dutch extraction. There are three children: Thelbert H., born December 22, 1896, married Josephine Campbell; Elve Elizabeth, born February 23, 1899, married Raymond A. Hicks; and Robert S., born February 20, 1901, married Margaret E. Anderson. Thelbert runs the Ramsey Produce Company. Elizabeth, who is a graduate of the state university is a home economist, and Roland, a purebred cattle breeder and dairyman, is vice president of the Nebraska State Holstein Association. All of the children graduated from Seward High School and have had musical training. They are all active in community affairs and in lodge work. Residence: Seward.
Ray Everett Ramsay
Ray E. Ramsay, one of Nebraska's better known university executives, has lived in this state for the past 12 years, and has taken a prominent part in the dramatic and executive affairs at the University of Nebraska. He was born at Rich Hill, Missouri, January 25, 1899, the son of Edward Everett and Ruth (Holdren) Ramsay. His father, who was born at Madison, Indiana, October 15, 1876, is in the wholesale grocery business. His mother was born at Spring Hill, Kansas, February 25, 1879.
Mr. Ramsey received his early education at the Longfellow School at Kansas City, and in 1917 was graduated from the Central High School there. He was awarded the A. B. degree at the University of Nebraska in 1928, where he was elected to membership in Alpha Sigma Phi.
During 1921, 22, and 23, Mr. Ramsay was an actor in New York City, and at various times between 1920 and 1924 was a chautauqua lecturer. From 1924 to 1929 he was in the dramatic department at the University, of Nebraska, where he proved to be one of the university's most popular instructors. During 1929 he was a radio announcer, and for several years he has taken part in one act plays presented from the Lincoln radio broadcasting studio. Since 1929 he has served as secretary of the University of Nebraska Alumni Association.
His marriage to Florence Hapke was solemnized at Wahoo, Saunders County, Nebraska, October 4, 1922, Mrs. Ramsay, who was formerly a teacher, was born at Schuyler, Colfax County, Nebraska, June 12, 1899.
Mr. Ramsey is a member of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce, the Lions Club, the Lincoln Young Men's Christian Association, and the Nebraskana Society. He is a Mason. During the World War he served as sergeant, 339 battalion, Tank Corps, and he is now a member of the American Legion. He is affiliated with the First Presbyterian Church of Lincoln. Politically, he is a Republican.
Among his favorite recreations are: golfing, tennis, baseball, and photography. Mr. Remsay, who is a licensed air pilot, is intensely interested in aviation. Residence: Lincoln. (Photograph on Page 980).
Orva Chester Randall
Orva Chester Randall was born at Bowen, Illinois, September 6, 1873, and for the past 41 years has resided in Phelps County, Nebraska, where he was a farmer until his retirement in recent years. His father, Richard Sylvester Randall, was born at Gallopolis, Ohio, August 16, 1832, and died at Holdrege, Nebraska, August 9, 1903; he was a farmer. His wife, who was prominent in club work and Sunday School activities, was born in Adams County, Illinois, in March, 1840, and died at Holdrege, in July, 1912.
Mr. Randall served in two regular sessions and two special sessions of the Nebraska legislature, and has long been a leader in farm organization work in Phelps County. He is affiliated with the First Baptist Church of Holdrege, and holds membership in the Nebraskana Society.
He was married to Minnie Georgia Cain on December 22, 1896, who was born December 22, 1878, and died at Holdrege, June 13, 1920. Three children were born to them: Leslie, born July 19, 1899; Harry, born October 20, 1905; and Ralph, born October 26, 1908, who died August 9, 1926.
Mr. Randall married Nellie May Cain in 1921. Her
