Asa W. Ransom,

Another of the pioneers, son of James and Phoeba Ransom, was born in the town of Camillus, Onondaga county, New York, May 6, 1818. When seventeen years of age he turned his face toward the setting sun and started to Illinois by way of Buffalo and Ashtabula, thence by stage across the state of Ohio to Wellsville.

From here he went by steamboat to Cairo, then up the Mississippi, landing at New Boston, June 10, 1837. On the following day he, in company his brother, started on foot toward the eastern part of the county and located on N. W. 1/4 of Sec. 3, in Suez township. In the fall he returned to Ohio, remaining until the spring of 1838. On his return he came as far as Michigan with his uncle and walked from there to Mercer county, a distance of aboiit 300 miles.

He states that at that time settlements were as high as sixty miles apart. He stopped for a short time in Chicago, and while there was offered a lot on Washington street in payment for a month's work. Mr. Ransom was married in February, 18499, to Miss Elizabeth S. Edwards, a native of Kentucky. The names of their children, in the order of their ages are as follows: Althea F., Charlora C., Chester L.. Adraenna. Marcilla C., Vesta, Asa S., and Olive.

In 1866 Mr. Ransom removed to Chicago and engaged in the commission business. He remained in the city four and a half years, during which time his children availed themselves of the excellent educational advantages the city affords. In the spring of 1870 he returned to his farm in Suez township, and, excepting a few months, has resided there since that time. Mr. Ransom arrived in Illinois with nothing in the way of worldly wealth, but by hard labor and judicious management he has become one of the largest land owners in the county. He furnishes an example of pluck and perseverance, which the rising generation would do well to follow.

 

History of Mercer and Henderson County

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Illinois Ancestors

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