Tom Ramsdell was either the son or grandson of T.J. Ramsdell (Thomas Jefferson-what a surprise) who built the opera house. TJ was either a lawyer or architect. Darn families keep reusing the same names!!! They were a very old prominent family in town-At some point you may have to consult Steve Harold down at the Manistee Museum-sorry I don't have the phone number-BUT I think they're branches of the same family (large family). Now the opera house has been declared an historical landmark (Homer probably told you that)- BUT it's also where James Earl Jones got his start in acting (Luke, I'm you're father!)
Sounds like Ira would've been Dr. Homer's father. Tom and Ellen went to the same church that I did when I was a kid-they were so neat for "older folks." I think Tom's mother's name was Louise if that's any help-I think they were related to the Ramsdell's that built the opera house in town. Louise was a widow for as far back as I can remember-she was an Independent old gal and died I think in her 90's after breaking her hip. Sounds like you've got dr.s running ALL through your family!!!! Are you a dr. too?
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