Ransom, Benjamin Porter 1833-1905

RANSOM, STEPHENS

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes
Date: 3/9/2016 at 13:39:20

The Grinnell (IA) Herald
Sept. 26, 1905

BENJAMIN PORTER RANSOM

Benjamin Porter Ransom was born in Sandy Creek, N.Y., Aug. 26, 1833, and died at Roswell, New Mexico, Sept. 23, 1905.

Mr. Ransom came to Grinnell in 1883. He sold his house last June and sought restoration to health at Excelsior Springs, Mo.. A severe exposure had settled a cough upon him from which not being relieved he located pleasantly at Laclede, Mo., near his farming interests. There it was discovered that his affliction was lung trouble to which he was made subject by an accident six years ago.

On his seventy-second birthday he was taken to Roswell, New Mexico, too late however, to afford him more than the relief of a dry climate.

He was of New England parentage, was educated at Belleville Academy, Jefferson Co., N.Y., was fitted for an accurate honorable business life with a successful merchant of Seneca Falls, and was also educated as a civil engineer at Aurora Academy. During the practice of his profession on the Erie Canal and Montezuma Aqueduct he met Louise M. Stephens, daughter of his contractor and formed the attachment of his life. After marriage June 29, 1863, he located at Benhard's Bay, N.Y., in charge of the glass works there. Although he was a considerate manager he could not cope with the distrust of highly paid skilled labor bent on joining a general strike. His small fortune was lost and he returned to Montezuma, N.Y., to start afresh, happy in the independent life of a farmer. Later they removed to Oneida for the education of their only daughter Anna. Here he engaged chiefly in civil engineering, being also deputy in the capacity of Canal Commissioner.

A severe attack of nervous prostration, however, necessitated abandoning a business life and having interests in Linn Co., Mo., he located in the west at Grinnell, Ia. During a summer sojourn in Brookfield, Mo., Mrs. Ransom died Sept. 4, 1887, and was taken to Oneida, N.Y., where the body of the husband now also lies at rest.

The home in Grinnell had been retained while Mr. Ransom and his daughter spent several years in other places.

Mr. Ransom had a genial nature and youthful heart being a friend to young and old. He was a member of the Congregational church of Grinnell.

Though not possessed of the higher education which he craved for himself, he was a good student of men and events and took a keen interest in political issues though never subject to party control.

The funeral at Oneida, N.Y., was arranged by his wife's family to whom he was both friend and brother, and was conducted most lovingly by his friend and pastor, Dr. Samuel Jessup, old neighbors and business friends attending.