History of Michigan, / by Charles Moore. [Vol. 3]

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN

1575

HENRY C. RANSOM. With Henry C. Ransom on the probate bench
of Mason county, that community has for more than a quarter of a century had the satisfaction of knowing that one of its most sacred judicial
functions was being discharged with a degree of human and technical
understanding that rarely comes to the public service. It was in I888
that Judge Ransom was first intrusted with the responsibilities of the
probate office, and at the present time his length of service in that one
office has been surpassed by only one other man in the entire state. No
better testimony of efficiency and scrupulous care could be desired.
Henry C. Ransom was born on a farm in Florence township, Huron
county, Ohio, January 27, 1849, the only son of Henry G. and Maryette
(French) Ransom. There were also two daughters: Mrs. Martha A.
Laurence and Frances M., the latter being deceased. Grandfather Russell
Ransom was a native of Connecticut, belonged to a colonial family of
that state, and the original ancestry was Danish-English and came to
America from North England. Russell Ransom was a pioneer in the
Western Reserve of Ohio, settling there about 1820 and spending the
rest of his life in Erie county. The maternal grandfather, Burton French,
was also from Connecticut and settled in Erie county of the Western
Reserve, in I819. Henry G. Ransom was a substantial farmer of Huron
county, Ohio, until his early death at the age of thirty-eight. His widow,
Mrs. Maryette (French) Ransom lived to about the age of seventy-two.
Both parents were Methodists and were esteemed as people of the highest
character and most substantial virtues.
In was in an environment still connected with the pioneer era that
Judge Ransom grew to manhood, was trained in the discipline of a farm,
and attended the common schools. He was between twelve and thirteen
years of age when the Civil War broke out, and his enthusiasm for the life
of a soldier led him in the winter of 1864-65 to go out as a private in Company F of the One Hundred and Ninety-Seventh Ohio Infantry, with
which command he served until the end of the war and his honorable
discharge. Returning home, Judge Ransom attended Oberlin College for
two school years, learned as an apprentice the cooper's trade, worked
as a journeyman for a few years at Findlay and at Elmore in Ohio and
other places.
Judge Ransom was one of the pioneers in the development of the
agricultural country of northern Michigan, having taken up a homestead
in Custer township of Mason county in I875. The labors of successive
years reclaimed a place from the wilderness, and it was as a successful
farmer that he won his substantial position in the business community.
Judge Ransom has never abandoned farming, and still owns two fine
farms in Mason county.
While still living in the country Judge Ransom took an active interest
in local affairs, and was honored with the offices of township clerk and
township supervisor. In 1884 the people of the county elected him county
treasurer, and his work in that office for four years was only preliminary
to the long and useful public service which he has performed as probate
judge. In I888 he was elected judge of probate, and at every recurring
four years the people have set the seal of their approval upon his careful
and conscientious administration of the office. At the present time Judge
Ransom is serving his seventh consecutive term.
Politically his work has always been with the Republican party and
he has long been regarded as a leader in the public life of Mason county.
He is affiliated with Pap Williams Post No. I5, G. A. R., at Ludington,
and has held offices in the order. He has taken the Lodge, Chapter and
Commandery degrees in Masonry, is affiliated with Saladin Temple of
the Mystic Shrine at Grand Rapids, and also belongs to Ludington Lodges
of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.