Capt. Andrew J. Ransom
SOURCE: The Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1889
Contributed by Michael Brown
18 Oct 1998
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FRANKLIN COUNTY
page 1274
Capt. Andrew J. Ransom was born in Marshall County, Ala., August 6, 1835. His
father, George Ransom, was born in Chester District, S. C., where he married
Margeret Robins, also a native of South Carolina. In an early day the family
removed to Tennessee, and several years later went to Marshall County, Ala.,
when the Indians still inhabited that country. In 1842 Mr. Ransom moved to
Arkansas, and after spending eighteen months in Helena moved to Franklin
County in 1844. Here he entered land, which he afterward bought and cultivated,
and became the owner of several other farms also. He enlisted in the Mexican
War, but was discharged owing to the quota being filled. He served in the
Confederate army one year, and died in Franklin County August 22, 1882. Mrs.
Ransom survived him until July, 1888. Of their family of seven daughters and
one son all save two sisters reside in Franklin County. One sister lives in
Sebastian County and one in Texas. Andrew J. Ransom accompanied his parents to
Arkansas when seven years old. He lived with his father upon the farm until of
age, and located upon his present farm in 1858. He has cleared and made
valuable improvements upon the place since then, and now owns 220 acres, about
125 being cleared and cultivated. He has a new residence, good out- buildings
and fine apple and peach orchards. In 1861 he enlisted in the State service,
and participated in the battle at Oak Hill. After his regiment was disbanded
he joined the regular Confederate army and served until taken prisoner in May,
1863, after which time he was held a prisoner until the close of the war. He
entered service as first lieutenant, but was afterward made captain, and
served as such until captured. He was in the fights at Farmington, Iuka, two
days' fight at Corinth, and at Fort Gibson was wounded in the hand. He returned
home in August, 1865, and July 10, 1866, married Margeret Tweedy, who was born
at Jacksonport, Ark., and is a daughter of Robert Tweedy, now deceased, but
formerly of Illinois. Mr. Ransom has a family of nine children: J. R., William
E., Laura E., Ella G., Eula F., George R., Jack P., Maggie L., Albert L.; and
one son, Thomas, died in 1882, aged eight. Mr. Ransom is a [p.1274] member of
the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and his eldest daughter belongs to the
Methodist Episcopal Church.