ARTHUR BOWMAN RANSOM. A wide-awake, brainy man, full of energy and enthusiasm, Arthur Bowman RANSOM holds a place of prominence and influence among the leading citizens of Nashville, and as president of John B. Ransom and Company is actively identified with one of the most prosperous manufacturing interests of Davidson county. He was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, September 28, 1872, of pioneer stock, and Revolutionary ancestry, his grandfather, John Ransom, having come to this state in early manhood, while his great-grandfather, Capt. Richard RANSOM, who spent his last years in Rutherford county, Tennessee, served as an officer in the Revolutionary war. In a sketch of his father, George Washington RANSOM, which appears elsewhere in this volume, further parental and ancestral history may be found.
John RANSOM, familiarly known by his friends as “Captain Jack,” was born in Mecklenburg county, North Carolina, in 1792, and was there reared and educated. In early manhood he migrated to Tennessee, hoping in the new and unbroken country to find good fortune. He was without financial means, his sole capital on coming to this state having been robust health, willing hands, and a courageous heart. Industrious and economical, he labored hard, and in due course of time had saved enough to purchase a small tract of wild land. Beginning his career as an independent farmer on a modest scale, he met with unquestioned success, from time to time buying additional land, and more slaves to operate it, and at the time of his death, which occurred when he was in the prime of life, in 1849, he was one of the wealthiest agriculturists in the county. The maiden name of his faithful wife and helpmeet was Elizabeth BOWMAN. She was born in Tennessee, and was of honored lineage, having been a direct descendant of Patrick ROSEBOROUGH, a native of Scotland, who, in 1662, fled to Ireland to escape persecution. Among her later ancestors were William ROSEBOROUGH and his wife Margaret, who emigrated from Ireland to America in 1769, settling in South Carolina, and she was also connected with the Gaston family, prominent people of South Carolina. She survived her husband a number of years, and reared a family of thirteen children, four daughters and nine stalwart sons.
George Washington RANSOM was born July 29, 1838, in Rutherford county, Tennessee, and was there reared on the home farm. When through school he settled in Fayetteville, where he was engaged in the grocery business until the breaking out of the war between the states. Enlisting then in General FORREST‘s company of cavalry, he remained with his command until the cessation of hostilities, taking an active part in numerous marches, campaigns and battles, being ever faithful to the duties devolving upon him as a soldier. He was afterwards engaged in the grocery business at Murfreesboro for a time, and still later there embarked in the lumber business, at first handling red cedar lumber, only. Subsequently extending his operations, he established a lumber yard at Shelbyville, and was very successful in its management until 1910, when he was succeeded by his son, W. S. RANSOM, and his son-in-law, J. Burton FRIERSON. He has since lived retired from active pursuits, devoting his attention entirely to his private affairs.
George Washington RANSOM has been twice married. His first wife, whose maiden name was Sarah BOSTICK, died in early life, leaving two children, John B. and George. He married, second, Margaret BUCHANAN, who was born in Davidson county, a daughter of John BUCHANAN. She died at the age of forty-nine years, leaving eight children, namely: Samuel B.; Arthur Bowman, with whom this sketch is chiefly concerned; Lizzie Mai, wife of John B. FRIERSON, of Shelbyville; Anna, wife of William Gladstone WARDLAW, of Fort Worth, Texas; M. Marvin; James McEwen; William Street; and Margaret.
Educated in the public schools of Murfreesboro, and at Union University, Arthur Bowman RANSOM began work as a wage-earner at the age of sixteen years, becoming a clerk in the office of his brother, John B. RANSOM. Three years later he embarked in the lumber and produce business in Murfreesboro, where he continued until 1899. In that year he bought out the interest of his brother’s partner, Mr. John LOVE, and became associated with his brother in Nashville, Tennessee, when his interests were transferred to Nashville. The firm of Jno. B. Ransom & Co. was afterward incorporated under its present name, John B. Ransom and Company. Mr. RANSOM was made secretary and treasurer of the company at its incorporation, and upon the death of his brother, John B. RANSOM, succeeded to the presidency, a position for which he is eminently qualified by natural talents, training and practical experience. This company has large mills, fully equipped with the latest approved modern machinery, and in addition to having an extensive box factory has the largest hard wood flooring plant in the world. The firm is known throughout the United States, and is doing an immense business, both wholesale and retail.
Mr. RANSOM married, Nov. 30, 1892, Eliza Guy McFERRIN, who was born in Bedford county, Tennessee, a daughter of Reverend Sumner and Annie (Temple) McFERRIN, natives of this state, the birth of her mother having occurred on the homestead where she is now living. Mr. and Mrs. RANSOM have one child, Margaret Buchanan RANSOM. The family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. RANSOM takes great interest in religious, educational and financial affairs, and is officially connected with numerous organizations. He is one of the trustees of Vanderbilt University; a member of the Joint Board of Finance of the Tennessee Conference; a member of the Missionary Board of the Methodist Episcopal church; a director of the Nashville Board of Trade; of the Industrial Bureau; and of the Commercial Club. He is likewise a director of the American National Bank; Bransford Realty Company; and of the Marathon Water Works. Mr. Ransom is also a member of the “Hoo Hoos,” an association composed of lumbermen.
Source: Hale, Will T, and Dixon L. Merritt. A History of Tennessee and Tennesseans: The Leaders and Representative Men in Commerce, Industry and Modern Activities. Chicago: Lewis Pub. Company, 1913. Volume 4, pg. 865-867.
