Prof. Ramer got an even start with the year 1869, having been born on January 1, of that year.
He laid the foundation of his education in the Sumner Public School, over which he was to preside years later. From the grades he passed to Storer College at Harpers Ferry. He pursued the law course at Howard University, Washington, D. C., winning the LL.B. in 1899. He also did special summer school work at the University of Pittsburgh, and has given special attention to psychology, methods of teaching, history of education, etc. He took commercial subjects through International Correspondence School, Scranton, Pa., and while in Washington received private instruction in professional subjects from Dr. L. B. Moore, Dean of College Department of Howard University. Prof. Ramer was in 1910 Instructor in the first Summer School for Negroes in West Virginia and holds a West Virginia teacher's life certificate.
He has been a hard worker all his life and as a student in school and college was under the necessity of making his own way. So far however, from permitting this to discourage or defeat him, he found in this responsibility inspiration and incentive to do his best. He followed various lines of work about town in order to earn money for his support and schooling. He was at one time a clerk in the Navy Yard at Norfolk, Va., and from 1893-99 had an appointment in Washington, being rated as laborer U. S. Senate. It was while thus employed that he took the law course at Howard.
All his teaching work has been in his home county, where the character of his work has been such as to give him the highest educational position open to a colored person in the county.
In November, 1887, Prof. Ramer was married to Miss Anna Bell Harris, daughter of Isaac and Mary Harris. This, it will be noted was before he was nineteen, so that most of his college work was done after his marriage, with a growing family to support. Of the five children born to Prof. and Mrs. Ramer, two are living, they are Nannie F. (Mrs. Coleman) and Frederick H. Ramer.
In politics Mr. Ramer is independent. This will be appreciated when it is stated that he has done campaign work for both the old parties. In religion he is a Methodist, and is a trustee, steward and assistant superintendent of the S. S. in his local church. His secret order and benevolent society affiliations are with the Sons and Daughters of Enoch (Trustee); Odd Fellows (P. G. M. grand Lodge of West Virginia); A. F. and A. M. (P. M.); Pythians (C. C.); and Elks (Special Deputy).
He is a rather general reader but likes particularly biography, history, sociology and such inspirational works as Dr. Marsden's Success Books. When asked how in his estimation, the best interests of the race may be promoted, he replied, "By a liberal education of the masses, (particularly the white man); by absolute political equality of all men; by inculcating in the youth of all races the utter folly of prejudice and hatred--in a word, Christianity."