William W. Ranney papers

Abstract

The William W. Ranney papers (dated 1858-1927, undated; 0.5 cubic feet; 2 boxes) document family life in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century in Boston, Kentucky. Descriptions of the problems facing those who moved West in the latter half of the nineteenth century are present in the correspondence as well as personal and business letters.

Descriptive Summary

Title
William W. Ranney papers
Date
1858-1927, undated
Extent
0.5 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Correspondence.
Confederate States of America. -- Army. -- Kentucky Volunteers. -- Regiment, 26th. -- Crittenden's Division
Families -- History -- 19th Century.
Soldiers -- Correspondence
Agriculture -- Economic aspects -- United States.
Arrangement
Collection is arranged chronologically.
Finding Aid Author
Greg Seltzer
Preferred Citation
59m36 : [identification of item], William W. Ranney papers, 1858-1927, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
During the Civil War, William W. Ranney (b. 1830) served in the 26th Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers, Crittenden's Division. After the war, Ranney moved to Wisconsin and then to Lansing, Iowa, where he was a druggist, stationer, and attorney. In the 1880s, he practiced law in Grand Meadow, Minnesota, but finally settled in Austin, Minnesota, where he became a probate judge.
Scope and Content
The William W. Ranney papers (dated 1858-1927, undated; 0.5 cubic feet; 2 boxes) document family life in the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century in Boston, Kentucky. Descriptions of the problems facing those who moved West in the latter half of the nineteenth century are present in the correspondence as well as personal and business letters. Early letters are from relatives of George Ranney, a schoolboy in Livermore, Kentucky. Correspondents during this period include Abigail C. Clark, Emma D. Sharp, Isabella Smith and Katie McClintock. After 1860 William W. Ranney wrote the majority of the letters to his mother, Susan Tanner or to his sister, Susan Atherton, both of Livermore. This portion includes Civil War letters from military camps in the Deep South, one referring to the appointment of Stephen Burbridge as Brigadier General. Also included are letters from Viva Martin, Susan Atherton's daughter, who married into a tobacco manufacturing family from Greenville, Ky. Her letters mention some of the problems faced by her husband in the depressed agricultural economy after the Civil War.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Use Restrictions
Property rights reside with the University of Kentucky. The University of Kentucky holds the copyright for materials created in the course of business by University of Kentucky employees. Copyright for all other materials has not been assigned to the University of Kentucky. For information about permission to reproduce or publish, please contact Special Collections.

Contents of the Collection

1858-1859

  • Box 1, folder 1
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1860-1867

  • Box 1, folder 2
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1868-1869

  • Box 1, folder 3
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1870-1879

  • Box 1, folder 4
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1880-1889

  • Box 1, folder 5
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1890-1895

  • Box 1, folder 6
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1908-1927

  • Box 1, folder 7
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undated

  • Box 1, folder 8
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Ephemera, undated

  • Box 2
Scope and Contents

Consists of locks of hair, dried leaves and flowers, a note, and half of a daguerreotype frame.

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UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm. Appointments are encouraged but not required. Schedule an appointment here.

Researchers must have an SCRC Researcher Account to request materials. View account set-up and use instructions here.

Questions? Contact SCRC via our Contact Form.

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You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.