Ralph John Ramer

• American

Ralph John Ramer, a native of Bethany, Missouri, moved to Anderson in 1911 as co-owner of the Coca Cola Bottling Company, which he purchased along with his brother-in-law Charles Ellis of Greenville, South Carolina. Known to most as Major R J Ramer, he served in the Spanish -American War, practiced law in Missouri and Oklahoma, and was consular agent for the United States government in Zacatecas, Mexico. While in Mexico, he was also involved in two copper mining companies. Unsuccessful in farming near Tampa, Florida shortly after the turn of the century, he and his wife, Rose Mary Ellis Ramer, moved to Greenville in 1910, then to Anderson the following year. Interested in military affairs, Ramer became captain of the National Guard's Palmetto Riflemen in Anderson, helped to form the Machine Gun Company of the 118th Regiment and served on the United States -Mexican border during the latter days of the Pancho Villa uprising. He served with distinction in France during World War I, as a regimental adjutant and instructor in an officer's training school in Langre, France. In 1921, he was elected and served one term in the South Carolina House of Representatives. From 1932-1936 Ramer served on the state highway commission. He was active in civic and community affairs, and Anderson's American Legion Hut is named in his honor. - US NRHP