- CLARK E. RANOUS, freight agent of the Chicago & Northwestern
Railroad, has occupied his
- present position since the year 1872. He was born in Palmyra,
Jefferson Co., Wis., April 15, 1843, and is the son of Charles
and Jane (UNDERHILL) RANOUS, who settled in that county in 1836,
and were therefore among those who were truly pioneers and who
deserve the respect of those who are now enjoying the benefits
accruing from the sacrifices required of those who first settled
in this beautiful country.
- The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm where he
remained until he was twenty one years
- of age, assisting in the farm labors from the time he was
old enough to follow the plow or drop corn. His education was
received in the common schools of his native county. Even before
reaching his majority, he could not withstand the appeals made
for men to help put down the Rebellion in the Southern States,
and therefore in February, 1863, he enlisted in Company I, 13th
Wisconsin Infantry, and served until April, 1865, when he was
mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, on account of physical disability.
- Returning home from the service, he spent three months in
recuperation, and July 1, 1865, entered
- the service of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad Company,
with which he has since been continuously engaged. He was first
employed at Watertown, where he remained until 1872, when as
already stated, he came to Janesville.
- While residing in Watertown, he was united in marriage with
Miss Lydia LINDEN, a native of
- Watertown, Wis., and step-daughter of Joseph LINDEN of that
city. Of their union three children have been born - Harry E.,
Nellie and Francis.
- Mr. RANOUS has taken much interest in various benevolent
organizations, and is a member of
- Western Star Lodge No. 14, A.F. & F.M.; Janesville Chapter,
No. 5, R.A.M.; Janesville Commander, No. 2, K.T.; Oriental Lodge,
No. 22, K.P.; Mohawk Tribe, No. 3, Red Men; and W. H. Sergeant
Post, No. 20, G.A.R. In several of these organizations he has
passed all the chairs, and is therefore well posted in the work.
- For almost a quarter of a century, he has been employed by
the Chicago & Northwestern Road,
- and is one of its most trusted employes. In the yards, and
office under his control forty men are employed. As a citizen
he is highly esteemed.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 576-577.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
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