St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-06-18
RECENT DEATHS.
Ranney.

William J. Ranney, for the past eight
years resident OF this town, died sud-
denly Sunday noon of neuralgia of the
heart.
Sunday morning he left the house
where he has been engaged as nurse
about 6 o'clock, apparently in his usual
health, and expected to return at 9. On
reaching home he complained Of pain
in the vicinity of the heart. He took
some remedies, laid down on the sofa
and slept for two hours. Waking up he
said that the pain had increased, but did
not think it necessary to send for the
doctor. He also complained of being
cold, and upon going to bed was given
warm drink. Soon after be laid
back and instantly died. Mr.. Ranney
had evidently been unwell for some time,
though he did not complain of his health.
Fifty-nine years ago last January Will
liam J. Ranney was born in Sherbrooke,
p. O., the third child of John and Jane
Ranney. The hrst 21 years of Williams
lii. were speut In his native town, when
the family moved to Wheelock, where
they lived until the death of the father
II years ago. The father died suddenly
of heart trouble while on business trip
to St. Johnsbury. After the death of the
father the mother moved to St. Johns
bury and lived with her son-in-law,
Lorenzo Sulloway, until her death, nine
years ago. ...
William Ranney lived with his father
for number of years after moving to
Wheelock, helping carry on the farm.
He finally purchased the farm and car
ried it on alone until an injury to his
spine received in a runaway compelled
him to give up work. He then moved
into the village, where his wife for time
carried on dressmaking and millinery
establishment. During his residence in
Wheelock he was popular with the
townspeople. prominent in village affairs
and taking an active interest in all that
pertained to the industrial, educational
and religious life OF the village.
Eight years ago he moved to st. Johns.
bury, where his son was attending
school. For two years he was employed
as carpenter by E. & T. Fairbanks &
Co., his first work being on the Court
House. During this time he was also
occasionally engaged as nurse, on one
occasion taking care OF man tor %
: nights and attending to his regular work
as well. He finally gave no his position
1t the scale works, and has since devoted
his time to his duties as nurse. Three
years ago Mr.. Ranney moved into the
house on Cherry street and took charge
OF the jail.
Mr.. Ranney enlisted in the civil war
from Wheelock Feb. ~. 1862, in Co. H,
7th Vermont, to serve three years. His
regiment joined Gen. Buffers army in
New Orleans in May, 1862 He was
taken sick and most of his time during
service was spent in the hospital. He
was honorably discharged by surgeons
certificate of disability.
In religious belief Mr.. Ranney associ.
ated with the Free Will Baptist church,
of which he was member and promi-
nent worker, being at one time superin-
tendent OF the Sunday School. He was
also director in the Y. M. c. A. He
was a member of Chamberlin Post,
G. A. R., Palestine Commandery, K. T.,
Passumpsic Lodge, F. & A. NJ, and
Green Mountain Commandery, U. o.
&C.
Mr.. Ranney was married on the 18th
day OF April, 1871, to Della Chase ol
Bloomington, who with son, Edson
employed by the st. Johnsbury Electric
Company, survive him. He is also
survived by the following brothers and
sisters: George Ranney OF Sheffield, Mrs
T. W. Kelley of Kirby, Robert H. RAN
ney OF Barre. Mrs. Lorenzo Sulloway
and Miss Mary Ranney of st. Johnsbury
Mr.. Rapney was genial man TO meet
faithful and efficient in TIE profession ol
nurse and one who was universally
esteemed. The family and immediate
relatives have the sympathy Of wide
circle OF friends in his sudden death. %
The funeral was held Tuesday after.
noon at his late home on Cherry street
Rev. Mr.. Franklin of Richmond, his
former pastor at Wheelock, conducted
the service and spoke very feelingly o.
his Christian character and his useful life
Prayer was offered by Rev. Thomas
. lyric and music was furnished by the
Mahogany Quartette. The deceased
was buried with Masonic honors under
the auspices of Passumpsic lodge. Cham
. berlin Post and Palestine Commandery
acted as escorts and six Sir Knights
three being also members of Chamberlir
Post, served as bearers.