Soldier and educator. He worked as a chairmaker and musician to pay for his education at American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy, later called Norwich University. After his 1825 graduation he taught in several colleges begun by Norwich founder Alden Partridge, including Jefferson College in Mississippi. In 1835 Ransom was named Vice President and professor of natural philosophy and engineering at Norwich University. From 1837 to 1844 he served as Major General of the Vermont militia, and also published a manual on tactics for militia that was distributed throughout US. In 1844 Ransom was appointed Norwich University's President, the first to hold the office after the school's founder, Alden Partridge. In 1846 he volunteered for the Mexican War and was appointed a Major in the 9th United States Infantry. After advancing to Colonel he assumed command when future President Franklin Pierce was promoted to Brigadier General. Ransom fell at the head of the regiment while storming the works at Chapultepec on the outskirts of Mexico City. He was temporarily buried in Mexico City's Protestant cemetery, and later returned to Vermont and interred at Norwich's Old Cemetery. His son Thomas Edward Greenfield Ransom served as a General in Union Army during Civil War. His son Dunbar served as a Civil War officer and later became a railroad executive before dying in Texas in 1897. His son Frederick (born 1841) served as a Lieutenant in the 11th Illinois Infantry during the Civil War.
Soldier and educator. He worked as a chairmaker and musician to pay for his education at American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy, later called Norwich University. After his 1825 graduation he taught in several colleges begun by Norwich founder Alden Partridge, including Jefferson College in Mississippi. In 1835 Ransom was named Vice President and professor of natural philosophy and engineering at Norwich University. From 1837 to 1844 he served as Major General of the Vermont militia, and also published a manual on tactics for militia that was distributed throughout US. In 1844 Ransom was appointed Norwich University's President, the first to hold the office after the school's founder, Alden Partridge. In 1846 he volunteered for the Mexican War and was appointed a Major in the 9th United States Infantry. After advancing to Colonel he assumed command when future President Franklin Pierce was promoted to Brigadier General. Ransom fell at the head of the regiment while storming the works at Chapultepec on the outskirts of Mexico City. He was temporarily buried in Mexico City's Protestant cemetery, and later returned to Vermont and interred at Norwich's Old Cemetery. His son Thomas Edward Greenfield Ransom served as a General in Union Army during Civil War. His son Dunbar served as a Civil War officer and later became a railroad executive before dying in Texas in 1897. His son Frederick (born 1841) served as a Lieutenant in the 11th Illinois Infantry during the Civil War.
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