Sedgwick County KSGenWeb

Portrait And Biographical Album of Sedgwick County, Kan.

Chapman Brothers 1888

Pages 443 - 444

 WILLIAM H. RANSON, one of the leading business men of Wichita, and an extensive farmer of Kechi Township, deals largely in real estate and operates a fine farm of 320 acres which he has brought to a good state of cultivation. He came to this section of country in 1872, and first purchased 160 acres of railroad land from which he built up a valuable homestead, including a handsome residence and all the out-buildings required by the enterprising agriculturist. The dwelling is surrounded by ornamental and natural shade trees, with fine fruit trees and the various other embellishments which go to make up the complete home. The farm is divided into 40-acre lots, enclosed with beautiful hedge fencing, and the whole forms a very attractive feature of the landscape. The farm is well stocked with Cotswold sheep, Short-horn cattle, Chester-White hogs and superior draft horses. The observing traveler notes the premises as the abode of comfort and plenty, and evidently under the supervision of one of the most intelligent men of the day.

            Our subject was born near Jacksonville, Ill., May 16, 1840, and is the son of James and Sarah (Richardson) Ranson, natives of England, who came to America in 1832, in their youth. They first met in Morgan County, Ill., where their marriage subsequently took place. James Ranson had served an apprenticeship of seven years in the famous wheelwright manufactory, of Sheffield, England, and came to this country fully equipped as a first-class machinist and millwright. He put up two flouring-mills in Morgan County, Ill., but his attention being subsequently turned to farming, he purchased land near Jacksonville, Ill., where after a few years be accumulated a competency and is now living in the city retired from active labor. The wife and mother departed this life in Jacksonville in the spring of 1883. They were the parents of eleven children, namely: Elizabeth, Mrs. G. Hayden; John; Mary A., Mrs. J. Groves; William H., of our sketch; Peter, Robert, George; Sarah J., Mrs. Watson; James H.; Maria, Mrs. Middleton, and Charles W., all of whom are residents of Morgan County, with the exception of our subject, and most of them engaged in agricultural pursuits. Mr. George Hayden, the husband of Elizabeth, is one of the leading merchants of Jacksonville.

            Mr. Ranson, of our sketch, continued on the home farm until reaching his majority, and completed his education in the Berean College at Jacksonville. Soon after the outbreak of the late Rebellion he enlisted, in September, 1861, in Company K, 27th Illinois Infantry, and did faithful service as a Union soldier nearly four years. He met the enemy in many of the important battles of the war, namely: Belmont, Stone River, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, Resaca and the capture and siege of Atlanta. At the battle of Belmont, which occurred on the 7th of November, 1861, he was shot through the left shoulder and still carries the ounce ball which lodged there. The shoulder at the time was dislocated and has since been a source of continued annoyance. Mr. Ranson received his honorable discharge in October, 1865.

            Our subject upon being transformed from a soldier to a civilian, returned to his native county, and in company with George Hayden, of Jacksonville, engaged in mercantile business three years. At the expiration of this time he began operating a farm in Morgan County, where he remained until coming to this State. Mr. Ranson has for the last two years been engaged in the real-estate business, having associated with himself Horace A. Kay. The firm have platted of the Kay estate south of the city three additions of twenty-four acres each, which have mostly found a ready sale at good figures. The office of said firm is at No. 110 North Main street, Wichita.

            Mr. Ranson took for his wife, in March, 1867, Miss Mary E. Groves, of Morgan County, Ill. Mrs. Ranson is, the daughter of Barney and Mary A. (Gibb) Groves, natives of England. The mother is now a resident of Wichita; the father is deceased. She was educated in the common schools, and by her marriage with our subject has become the mother of five children, namely: Della, Lena, Ellsworth, Bertha and Jessie. Mr. Ranson, politically, is a third party Prohibitionist, and socially, belongs to the G. A.R. He is reckoned among the solid men of the county, and one who has contributed his full quota toward its wealth and prosperity.

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