MAGLSRansom
STACY A. RANSOM 1870-1926
District Deputy Grand Master, China, 1910-1915;
District Grand Master, China, 1915-1920.
MEMORIAL
Right Worshipful Brother Stacy A. Ransom, was born in Washington, D. C., in 1870; and died in Shanghai on August 26th, 1926.
Dr. Ransom received his early education in the public schools at Washington and afterwards attended the University of Georgetown. He served with the "A" battery, District of Columbia National Guard, for four years, and with the U. S. Navy as a gunner during the Spanish-American war.
He came to Shanghai more than twenty years ago in the capacity of Medical Officer of the United States Marine Hospital Service, a position which he he}d at the time of his death, and which prior to his coming to Shanghai, he held in Kobe. This position brought him into close contact with the American affairs in Shanghai, and very soon he became a popular, well-known figure in the life of the community.
Dr. Ransom took an active and energetic part in the formation of the American Company of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps, and in fact may be regarded as its founder, as largely through his efforts it was organized in January, 1906. He was the Company's first commander with the rank of 2nd lieutenant, receiving his commission on January 17th, 1906. In March, 1906, he was promoted to the rank of Captain, in which capacity he served until 1912, when he left for home leave in the United States. During his absence, until 1915 when he resumed command of the Company, he was a member of the S. V. C. Headquarters Staff, and in 1920 he was promoted to the rank of Major. On June 15th, 1921, he was again transferred to Headquarters, and following that period was the second in command and the highest unsalaried official in the S. V. C. In April of this year he was transferred to the Reserve of Offcers.
Dr. Ransom held many positions of trust and responsibility in China. He was twice President of the American Association in Shanghai, a post which he held at the time of his death; he was a member of the Shanghai Municipal Council; President of the Shanghai Medical Society, and Medical Officer in charge of United States Public Health Service. On the anniversary of the founding of the American Company, the esteem in which Dr. Ransom was held by the community was most aptly illustrated in the public recognition of his services. He was commended at that time for the essential traits of character which marked him for leadership. He was valued as a strict disciplinarian, an efficient executive, a good tactician, and excellent rifle and revolver shot, a loyal citizen and public servant, and a thoroughly good fellow.
Dr. Ransom was a member of tbe Cosmos Club in Washington, and also of the Shanghai, the American, the Columbia, the French, the Golf, and the University Clubs of Shanghai. He was also a member of the Shanghai Rifle Association and the American Association.
Right Worshipful Brother Ransom was a distinguished and devoted Mason. He served the Craft as Master of Sinim Lodge (1907-1908) and was appointed District Deputy Grand Master for China in 1910, which position he held until 1915 when he was installed as District Grand Master of the newly constituted District Grand Lodge on November 21st, 1915. He resigned from this rank on April 10th, 1920.
His goodness and kindness, his sterling excellence, his manliness, his amiable and unostentatious simplicity of character, and his earnestness and devotion in dedicating his life to the public service, have endeared him to the hearts of all who were associated with him.
A. E. Newland
L. C. Porter
L. R. O. Bevans
Committee.
