Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1902-08-21
NE LIVED A RECLUSE.
A Former Belding Man Hardly Been
on His Farm For Years


on His Farm For Years
Portland Observer: George Ranney
died at his home on his farm south
east of town in Dandy township on
Thursday morning last, quite sudden
ly. Although he had been afflicted
with cancer Of the face for several
years, dibetes and liver trouble were
the direct cause of his death He
was 50 years of age August A,
Mr.. Ranney was in the retail lum-
ber business for several years prior to
about nine years ago, when he moved
upon the farm where he died and
which, for the past six or eight years,
he seldom left, owing to the condi-
tion of his face from the ravages of
the cancer. His farm was fine one,
well stocked, and in the best of shape.
Mr.. Ranney's wife died about twen-
ty years ago at Belding, to which
place Mr.. Ranney's remains were taxi
en- for burial last Saturday. Deceas-
ed was survived by sister, Mrs. Mar
tha Wood, of Shelburn Falls, Mass ;,
and by stepbrothers, Fred and G. 7.
Ranney, of Greenville, the former of
whom was here few days before his
brother died, but was in Ionia when
the death occurred, arriving here on
Thursday morning and making ar
rangements for the funeral and look
ing after Mr.. Ranney's matters.
Mr.. Ranney was an honorable busi-
ness man, straight as string in his
dealings and respected by everybody
for his sterling manly qualities. He
was native of Ashfeld, Mass, but
had resided in Michigan upward of 30
years.
The remains were accompanied to
the depot from Blanchard's under
taking rooms by delegation of bust
ness men. Rev. Stevens and Fred
Ranney and several friends of de-
ceased accompanied the remains to
Belding, where Mr.. Stevens conduct
ed the services. Mr.. Ranney's sister
and other relatives met the remains
at the depot at Belding.
Portland Review: Those who knew
the George Ranney of dozen years
ago would scarcely have recognized
him as he lay on his bed in the barn
which had been his home for several
years Then he was. fauhlessly ttir-
ed and his general appearance indi-
Gated refinement. For the last few
years, however, the cancer had been
eating toward the brain and Mr. Ran
ney was changed man. There was
shabby genteel appearance about
him, while his unkept beard and long
hair helped to cover the affected part
of his face. One side had been com
pletely eaten away one eye was gone
andye he was strong physically, doing
much of the hard work of the farm.
1t was only lately that he took to his
bed from diabetes, the case being very
anu SGACIGs IGoulllllS
finally in his death.
For a time he tried all Of the known
methods of riding his system of the
cancer, but of late years he has been
discouraged. He knew the outcome
and often talked with his friends
about it Except for the oyershadow-
ing affliction the last few years were
spent most happily. He lived close to
nature, made pets of his stock, kept a
certain little parcel of woods nearly
opposite his barn for the wild rabbits
and other small game to inhabit-in
short, carried out all of the commend
able little hobbies which made him a
friend to all. He has had tenant on
his farm most of the time, but he
stuck to the barn, allowing the house
to his employees. He had a comfort
able room fitted up there, combining
office and living apartments. 1t was
here that he died.