Lettering: Charles W. Ransom, Master Penman

Charles William Ransom was profiled in the 1921 book, Centennial History of Missouri (The Center State) One Hundred Years in the Union, 1820–1921, Volume IV. 

Charles William Ransom is well known in educational circles as the author of the Ransomerian system of penmanship, as a teacher and as the author of various standard textbooks on penmanship. He has gained wide recognition in this connection and, moreover, he holds the world’s first prize for course in penmanship. He was born in Osage county, Kansas, February 4, 1871. His father, William M. Ransom, was born in Indiana and came west in 1870, settling first in Osage county, Kansas, making the journey by boat from St. Louis. He devoted his life to fruit growing and farming, remaining active in those lines of business until his death, which occurred in 1898. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he took active part, doing all in his power to further the growth of the church and extend its influence. At the time of the Civil war he served as a member of the Home Guard. He passed away in Lebo, Coffey county, Kansas, and there were many friends who felt the deepest regret at his death. Mr. Ransom was married to Miss Amanda A. Prather, a native of Kentucky, who has also departed this life. They were the parents of eight children, of whom five are yet living.

Their son, Charles William Ransom, began his education in the district schools and continued his studies in the public schools of Kansas. He became an expert in penmanship and studied in the Dubuque College of Iowa and did special work along that line in the Bayless Business College. He took up educational work along that line and was a teacher of penmanship in various large institutions, including a business college of Baltimore, Maryland, the Detroit Business University of Detroit, Michigan, and Hill’s Business College of Sedalia, Missouri. He came to Kansas City twenty-four years ago and for a long period was a teacher of penmanship in schools here. In 1906 he established a school of his own, known as the Ransomerian School of Penmanship. He is also the author of works on penmanship and was the founder of the Ransomerian Publishing Company. His published volumes are largely accepted as authority and are widely used in the public schools. In 1912 the board of education of Kansas City adopted his system for use in the public schools. Prior to 1910 he had conducted what was known as the Ransomerian Business School to train teachers to teach his methods. He is a member of the Commercial Teachers Federation of America, also of the Missouri Valley Teachers Association and was secretary of the National Penmanship Association of America. He was also made treasurer of the Central Teachers Association and he is much interested in the proceedings of these organizations as they endeavor to raise the standards of education and introduce practical and improved methods of instruction.

On the 29th of December, 1904, Mr. Ransom was married to Miss Gertrude A. Helsley, of Sedalia, Missouri, whose father, George E. Helsley, was a pioneer resident there. Mr. and Mrs. Ransom have one son, Charles William, Jr., who was ten years of age in February, 1921. Mr. Ransom is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and of the Cooperative Club. He and his wife belong to the Linwood Christian church, in the work of which he takes a most active and helpful interest, doing all in his power to promote the growth of the church and extend its influence. His life has ever been actuated by high and honorable principles and the sterling worth of his character is recognized by all who know him.

Here is Ransom in census records and other publications. 

The 1875 Kansas State Census recorded Ransom as the youngest of seven children born to W. [William] and A [Amanda]. His father was a farmer. They resided in Melvern, Kansas. 

In the 1880 United States Census, Ransom, his parents and three siblings continued to live in Melvern. 

The 1890 census is not available. 

1893 Dubuque, Iowa, City Directory

Not available

1894 Dubuque, Iowa, City Directory

Name: C W Ransom

Residence Place: 91 Wilson Avenue

Occupation: Secretary and Teacher Penmanship, Bayless Business College

1895 Dubuque, Iowa, City Directory

Not available

1896 Dubuque, Iowa, City Directory

No listing

1896 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

No listing

1897 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 3136 Oak

Occupation: Penman, Central College of Business

1898 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 1516 McGee

Occupation: Penman, Central College of B & S H [Business and Shorthand]

1899 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 219 West 11th

Occupation: Penman, Central College of B & S H

The Penman and Artist, May-June 1899, featured Ransom in a profile. 

Mr. C. W. Ransom was born February 1, 1871, on a farm in Osage county, Kansas. Completed his public school education at the age of seventeen and received his first inspiration in penmanship about this time from a private instructor. He organized classes in the neighboring towns of his home until ’91 when he accepted a call as principal of the penmanship department in Bayless Business College, Dubuque, Iowa, and while there completed the commercial course. From there he went to Sweet’s College of Commerce, Sharon, Pa., and then to the Maryland Business College, Baltimore, Md. We next find him with the Troy ( N. Y.) Business College, and then with the Detroit (Mich.) Business University. For the two years just past he has been principal of the penmanship and bookkeeping departments of Central College, Kansas City, Mo., and has materially increased these departments.

Mr. Ransom is quite a skillful penman. He writes a very free and rapid off-hand, ornamentally style, as evidenced in his letter in this issue of The penman and Artist, which is one of the best we have ever seen from his facile pen.

The Penman’s Art Journal, September 1899, introduced a new column starting with four lessons by Ransom. 

The Journal has presented from time to time a good deal in the line of signature combinations, but these have usually run to the artistic or professional style. The proprietor of one of our leading business colleges suggested recently that a very practical feature would be signature combinations in business writing, and we heartily approve the idea. For doing this work Mr. C. W. Ransom of Kansas City. Mo., has been selected, and from copies which we have on hand we are able to promise Journal subscribers something that will be genuinely of use. After Mr. Ransom’s course is finished the work will be supplemented by signature combinations from America’s leading penmen.

Signature Writing Lesson No. 1.

Signature Writing Lesson No. 2.

Signature Writing Lesson No. 3.

Signature Writing Lesson No. 4.

Ransom was profiled in Penman’s Art Journal, February 1900. 

C.W. Ransom was born Feb. 4, ’71, on a farm in Osage Co., Kans. He completed his public school education at the age of 17 and about this time received his first inspiratoin [sic] in penmanship from a private teacher. He organized classes in the neighboring towns until ’91, when he accepted a call as teacher of penmanship, Bayless College, Dubuque, Ia. While there he completed the business course. Later he taught in Sharon, Pa.; Baltimore, Troy and Detroit, and is now penman of Central Coll. of Bus., Kansas City. Mo. He has been with this school two years. In both plain and artistic penmanship Mr. Ransom is strong and his work has appealed to thousands of Journal readers. His work in signature writing, which The Journal has run during the present year, shows one variety of his skill. Mr. Ransom is fond of music and has given considerable attention to voice culture. He has built up a fine mail order business and has bright prospects for the future. He is unmarried.

According to the 1900 census, Ransom was born September 1870 in Kansas. (The profile said February 4, 1871.) He was a penmanship teacher in Kansas City, Missouri. Ransom was boarding at 291 West Eleventh Street. His birthplace was recorded as Minnesota instead of Kansas. 

1900 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Occupation: Teacher, Central College of B and Shorthand

A writing sample by Ransom appeared in the Penman’s Art Journal, April 1900. 

Two writing samples by Ransom were printed in the Penman’s Art Journal, February 1901, here and here. 

1901 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 221 West 11th

Occupation: Teacher, Central College of B & S H

The Penman’s Art Journal, April 1901, reported Ransom’s move into mail order business. 

C. W. Ransom, the noted penman, who has for the past four years been principal of the penmanship and bookkeeping department of Central College, Kansas City, Mo. has resigned his position to devote his entire time to mail order business. Mr. Ransom is one of the finest penmen in the country and we wish him success in his new step. See his ad. in this issue of The Journal.

Another Ransom sample appeared in May 1901.

The Western Penman, September 1901, noted Ransom’s new position and printed a sample of his script. 

C.W. Ransom of Lebo, Kan., penman, has engaged with the Smithdeal Business College, Richmond, Va., where he will have charge of penmanship and the commercial branches.

1902 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

No listing

1903 Sedalia, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 221 West 11th

Occupation: Teacher, Hill’s Business College

“Who Wrote the Above Capitals?” contest appeared in The Business Educator, May 1903. The Business Educator, June 1903, identified the letterers and winner. Ransom penned the capital C. 

The Business Educator, October 1903, said

Mr. C. W. Ransom, of Sedalia, Mo., writes that he succeeded in winning the first prize for the best display of penmanship at the Missouri State Fair, held August 17–24th, ’03. Congratulations, brother! He also states that we may expect a good clubbing from his hands this year.

The Missouri Marriage Record, at Ancestry.com, said Ransom married Gertrude Helsley on December 29, 1903 in Syracuse, Missouri. (The profile said the year was 1904.) The Business Educator, February 1904, acknowledged Ransom’s marriage.

Ransom’s whereabouts in the early 1900s was mentioned in The Blue Book: Containing Photographs and Sketches of a Few Commercial Teachers (1907). 

… Mr. Hawkes accepted a position as instructor in the English department of Smithdeal’s Business College, Richmond, Virginia, where aside from his regular work, he taught telegraphy, and pursued the study of Barnes-Pitman shorthand. While there, he met Mr. C. W. Ransom, whom he followed to Sedalia, Missouri, accepting a position with Hill’s Business College, as assistant in the commercial department of which Mr. Ransom was principal. Mr. Hawkes resigned this position to take charge of the commercial department of South Jersey Institute, Bridgeton, N. J., which position he held for the following two years. …

1904 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

No listing

Sample of Ransom’s script printed in The Business Educator, February 1904.

A Ransom advertisement published in The Business Educator, March 1904. 

The Business Educator, May 1904, reported Ransom’s new job.

Mr. C. W. Ransom, of Sedalia, Mo., will begin work June 1st, in the Central Business College of Kansas City, Mo., where he worked some three years ago. Mr. Ransom swings a spirited, graceful pen, and intends pushing the mail lesson work through the columns of The Business Educator.

Names penned by Ransom appeared in The Business Educator, June 1904. 

The same issue mentioned Ransom’s school. 

Some very breezy, effective signatures are at hand from the nimble pen of C. W. Ransom, now located with the Central College, No 1312 Grand Ave., Kansas City, Mo., where he is conducting the Ransomerian Correspondence School of Penmanship.

1905 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 3825 Euclid Avenue

Occupation: Teacher, Central Business College

1906 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 3825 Euclid Avenue

Occupation: Teacher, Central Business College

1907 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 3825 Euclid Avenue

Occupation: School

Ransom increased the advertising for his penmanship business. Below is an advertisement in The Gregg Writer, July 1907. 

Ransom’s success was reported in The Business Educator, October 1907. 

Mr. C. W. Ransom, the skillful and energetic proprietor of the Ransomerian School of Penmanship, Kansas City, Mo., reports that his institution is booming. He states that they have been enrolling students at the rate of 50 per month, and that they recently placed four of their students in teacher positions at from $60 to $100 per month. He also states that during one month they received twenty-five calls for their students to fill positions in leading business colleges. Mr. Ransom and his assistant, Mr. E. B. Burnham, are evidently men who know how to secure results.

The American Penman, July 1908, said Ransom was elected treasurer of the Central Commercial Teachers’ Association for 1909 at the Seventh Annual Convention in Davenport, Iowa. 

1908 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 3825 Euclid Avenue

Occupation: Manager, Ransomerian School of Penmanship

1909 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles A [sic] Ransom

Address: 3825 Euclid Avenue

Occupation: President, Ransomerian School of Penmanship, 214 Reliance Building

Ransom placed full-page advertisements in several publications such as The Business Educator, October 1909 and December 1909; Penman’s Art Journal, January 1910 and The Business Journal,  October 1910. 

The Ransomerian Penholder advertisement published in The Business Educator, November 1909. 

The 1910 census said Ransom was the president of a correspondence school. He and his wife were Kansas City residents at 3919 Michigan Avenue. 

1910 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 3919 Michigan Avenue

Occupation: President, Ransomerian School of Penmanship, 508 Reliance Building

1911 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 3919 Michigan Avenue

Occupation: President, Ransomerian School of Penmanship, 3rd floor Minor Building

The Business Educator, April 1911, announced the birth of Ransom’s son, Charles William Ransom Jr.

1912 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 3919 Michigan Avenue

Occupation: President, Ransomerian School of Penmanship, 309 Minor Building

1913 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 3919 Michigan Avenue

Occupation: President, Ransomerian Business School, 301 Essex Building, 14th and Grand Avenue

1914 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 3919 Michigan Avenue

Occupation: President, Ransomerian Business School, 301 Essex Building, 14th and Grand Avenue

Name: Ransomerian Business School

Charles W Ransom President

G A Ransom Vice-president

Isa Helsley Secretary and Treasurer

Address: 301 Essex Building, 14th and Grand Avenue

Telephone: Home Main 8370 Bell Main 4370

An advertisement in the Audubon Republican (Iowa), August 20, 1914, identified Iowa branches of the Ransomerian Business School. 

An advertisement published in the University Missourian (Columbia, Missouri), April 26, 1915. 

1915 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 3927 Michigan Avenue

Occupation: President, Ransomerian Business School, 301 Essex Building, 14th and Grand Avenue

1916 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 3927 Michigan Avenue

Occupation: President, Ransomerian Business School, 301 Essex Building, 14th and Grand Avenue

Telephone: Home Linwood 970

1917 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 3927 Michigan Avenue

Occupation: President, Ransomerian Business School, 301 Essex Building, 14th and Grand Avenue

Telephone: Home Linwood 970

1918 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 3927 Michigan Avenue

Occupation: President, Ransomerian Business School, 301 Essex Building, 14th and Grand Avenue

Telephone: Home Linwood 970

1919 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 3927 Michigan Avenue

Occupation: President, Ransomerian Business College

In the 1920 census, Ransom’s Kansas City address was 3927 Euclid Avenue. He continued to operate a school. 

1920 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 3927 Michigan Avenue

Occupation: President, Ransomerian Business College

1921 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 3927 Michigan Avenue

Occupation: President, Ransomerian Business School

1922 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 3927 Michigan Avenue

Occupation: President, Ransomerian Business School

1923 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 3927 Michigan Avenue

Occupation: President, Ransomerian Business School

1924 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 311 Kansas City Life Building

Occupation: Handwriting Expert

1925 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 914 East 29th

Occupation: Handwriting Expert, 311 Kansas City Life Building

1926 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 914 East 29th

Occupation: Handwriting Expert, 311 Kansas City Life Building

1927 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 3216 Harrison

Occupation: Real Estate and Handwriting Expert, 311 Kansas City Life Building

1928 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

No listing

1929 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Street Address: 910 Ward Parkway

Occupation: Handwriting Expert

Business Address: Superior Rental Co, 311 Central Exchange Building 

The 1930 census said Ransom remained in Kansas City at 354 Ward Parkway. He was involved with real estate. 

1930 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Street Address: 910 Ward Parkway Apt 1

Occupation: Handwriting Expert

Business Address: Superior Rental Co, 311 Central Exchange Building 

Business Category: Handwriting Experts

Name: Charles W Ransom

Address: 311 Central Exchange Building

1931 Kansas City, Missouri, City Directory

Name: Charles W Ransom

Street Address: 910 Ward Parkway Apt 1

Occupation: Handwriting Expert

Business Address: Superior Rental Co, 311 Central Exchange Building 

Spouse: Gertrude A Ransom

Ransom passed away on April 7, 1932, in Missouri. The Kansas City Star, April 8, 1932 published an obituary. 

Ransom—Charles W. Ransom, 62 years old, died last night at his home 4816 Roanoke road. He leaves his widow, Mrs. Gertrude Ransom, a son, Charles William Ransom, a sister, Mrs. Sally Elder, Ottawa, Kan., and a brother, Amos H. Ransom, Neosho, Mo. Funeral services will be held at 2 o’clock Saturday at the Newcomer chapel, Robert Gillham road and the Paseo. The body will be cremated.

Further Reading

The Zanerium, Charles W. Ransom

Kansas City Public Library, Ransomerian School of Penmanship

Chronicling America, Ransomerian mentioned in newspapers

Internet Archive, Ransomerian mentioned in publications

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(Next post on Monday: 1928 Syllabus Yearbook)