| RANSOM, FRANCIS DRAKE --
Francis Drake Ransom was born 5 June 1816 at Elbridge, Onondaga County, New York, son of James Ransom and Phebe Hand. When he turned 21 he traveled through Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio exploring the largely untamed area. He returned to New York and married on 5 September 1837 at Elbridge Chloe Streeter. Chloe was born on 19 February 1813 in New York, the daughter of Benjamin and Abigail Spaulding Streeter. The Ransoms moved to Algansee, Branch County, Michigan in 1842. Francis worked as a farmer. In 1846 the Ransoms were members of the Hog Creek district Baptists. In 1855 the Ransoms helped form the Second Algansee Baptist Church. Eventually Francis served as deacon of this church. Francis was also a Justice of the Peace and began marrying people in 1859. By the 1860s Francis was successful enough to invest in a lumber mill at Lake Ann, Michigan. His sons Benjamin and Elijah ran this mill. Eventually Benjamin returned to Branch County and took over the family farm. Family stories suggest that Chloe was a somewhat discordant mother-in-law. On 5 June 1880 the family of Francis Ransom gathered for a surprise birthday party with 135 guests "(varying) in weight from 301 pounds down, and in age from 86 years to 3 months". His sons gave him a fine couch and everybody had a good time. Chloe died 8 February 1904 at the home of her eldest son, James, in Algansee, Branch County several days after falling and injuring her hip. Her obituary appeared in the 25 February 1904 issue of the Quincy Herald. Both Francis and Chloe are buried in Fisher Cemetery, Branch County, Michigan. Source: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jayhomer/ransomfr.htm |
| ROBERTS, ARTEMAS A. -- Click Here |
| RUMSEY, HOWARD D.: Howard D.. Rumsey, like many of the
enterprising and prosperous men of Ferry county, has resided here but a few years, but has
shown, during that time, commendable energy and interest in opening up the country. He
lives seven miles south from Curlew and there does general farming and raises stock.
Howard D. Rumsey was born in Branch County, Michigan on October 4, 1859, the son of
Peter and Temperance (Bond) Rumsey, natives of New York and Virginia, respectively. They settled in Michigan in 1845, which was continously their home until 1877, when the father died. His widow is still living in Allegan county of that state. Ten children have been born to them, as follows: Johnson, Frank, Howard D., Edward, Barton, Scemilda, Servina, Melville, Fay and Martie. From the public schools of Sherwood, in Michigan, our subject gained his educational training and at the age of nineteen, started out in life for himself. For six years, he and his brother, John, operated a threshing machine and clover huller and also did other work. Then he came to Minnesota where he learned the blacksmith trade and for twenty years worked at it in Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, and Idaho. In 1890, Mr. Rumsey came west and after one year, returned to Minnesota. Two years after that he went to Missouri and again came back to Minnesota, which was his home until 1897, then he journeyed to Montana and worked at his trade and also did farming. In 1900 he came to his present location, seven miles south from Curlew. Here he took up a homestead, half of which is now under cultivation. He raises some stock and has improved his place in good shape. In 1883, Mr. Rumsey married Miss Ida, daughter of Edward and Jane (Hagen) Bartlett, natives of New York. They were pioneers to Michigan and later journeyed on to Minnesota, where the father died. The mother is still living in that state. They were the parents of two children, Ida, wife of our subject, and Merritt. To Mr. and Mrs. Rumsey one child has been born, Elver. In political matters the principles of the Democratic party appeal more strongly to Mr. Rumsey and he is a stalwart in their ranks. Fraternally, he is a member of the M.W.A. He is a man of good standing and is respected and esteemed by all who know him, having shown by his excellent labors in this country, his industry and substantiality. Transcribed by: Candy Grubb (candyg@theofficenet.com) Source: USGenWeb Archives |
| RUMSEY, JOHN -- Click Here |
| RUSSELL, JONATHAN -- Click Here |