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Thomas Davis Ranson

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Thomas Davis Ranson
Born(1843-05-19)May 19, 1843
Charles Town, Virginia, United States
DiedJuly 21, 1918(1918-07-21) (aged 75)
Staunton, Virginia, United States
Burial placeThornrose Cemetery, Staunton, Virginia, United States
EducationWashington College,
University of Virginia
Occupation(s)Lawyer, businessperson, military officer
Spouse(s)Mary Fontaine Alexander (m. 1871–1887; death),[1]
Janetta "Janet" Ravenscroft Harrison (m. 1887–1893; death),[1][2]
Margaret Fisher Warren (m. 1900–1918; death)[1]
Children11

Capt. Thomas Davis Ranson (May 19, 1843 – July 21, 1918),[3] was an American lawyer, businessperson, and military officer, from Staunton, Virginia.[4] He was a member of the Confederate States Army, and served in the Stonewall Brigade under General Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson during the American Civil War.[4]

Early life and education

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Thomas Davis Ranson was born on May 19, 1843 in Homestead House near Charles Town in Virginia (now West Virginia).[4][1] He was related the prominent Baldwin family of Staunton, Virginia on his maternal side; his maternal descendants immigrated in the 17th century from England.[4][1][5] Ranson attended Jacob Fuller’s classical school in Lexington, and Washington College (now Washington and Lee University) in Lexington.[4][1]

Military service and career

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Ranson joined the Confederate States Army in 1861 during the start of the American Civil War, where he initially served as a private during the Harpers Ferry fighting in April of the same year.[4] Ranson had fast promotion in the military ranks.[4] After serving in the battle of First Manassas, he was promoted to sergeant major to the 52nd Virginia Infantry Regiment.[4] He was the aide-de-camp to Gen. Edward Johnson at the Battle of Camp Allegheny.[4]

On May 1, 1862, he attained the rank of lieutenant right before the Shenandoah Valley Campaign led by Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson.[4] He was wounded at the Battle of McDowell on May 8, 1862, and again wounded at the Battle of Cross Keys on June 8, 1862.[4] By the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, Ranson was in better health and had joined the Confederacy States Army's "secret service department as a captain of scouts".[4] In 1863 and 1864, Ranson reported to Gen. Robert E. Lee and Gen. J. E. B. Stuart directly.[4] He joined Gen. J. E. B. Stuart's calvary at the Battle of Brandy Station on June 9, 1863.[4] He also fought in a battle in Upperville and at the Battle of Jack's Shop.[4] Ranson continued fighting battles until his capture by the Union Army and imprisoned at Fort McHenry.[4]

He was released from the military in July 1865, and tried to return to farming in Charles Town.[4] He left farming to attend law school, Ranson graduated in 1868 from the University of Virginia.[4] After graduation he moved to Staunton, Virginia and practiced law; as well as serving as the director of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind.[4] He also served as a trustee of Washington and Lee University, and of Stuart Hall School.[4][6] In 1906, he was the vice president of the Tidewater Railway Company.[7]

Ranson was the commander of the Stonewall Jackson Camp of Confederate Veterans, and lieutenant commander of the Grand Camp of Virginia.[4]

He died on July 21, 1918 after experiencing a stroke five days earlier.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Tyler, Lyon Gardiner (1906). "Thomas Davis Ranson". Men of Mark in Virginia: Ideals of American Life; a Collection of Biographies of the Leading Men in the State. Men of Mark Publishing Company. p. 372.
  2. ^ "Marriage of Janet to Thomas Ranson". Staunton Spectator. 1887-01-12. p. 3. Retrieved 2024-02-01 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b "Captain Thos. D. Ranson Has Answered Call". The Daily News Leader. July 22, 1918. p. 1. Retrieved 2024-02-01 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Culbertson, Charles. "Forgotten Folks 12: Thomas D. Ranson survived Antietam, became Staunton lawyer and leader". The News Leader. Retrieved 2024-02-01.
  5. ^ Kennedy, Mary Selden (1911). Seldens of Virginia and Allied Families. Frank Allaben Genealogical Company. p. 309.
  6. ^ Catalogue, Washington and Lee University. 1897. p. 14.
  7. ^ Annual Report. Virginia State Corporation Commission. 1907. p. 1264.
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