Samuel Haverstick Ranck

Background

Ranck, Samuel Haverstick was born on October 23, 1866 in near Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of Jacob Eby and Martha Bausman (Haverstick) Ranck.

Education

Studied First Pennsylvania Normal School (now Millersville State Teachers College), 2 years. Bachelor of Arts, Franklin and Marshall College, 1892, Master of Arts, 1895, Doctor of Letters, 1942.

Career

Teacher in rural school of Lancaster Country, Pennsylvania, winters 1885-1886 and 1886-1887. Engaged in library work during freshman year in college. Librarian Goethean Society Library (about 6,000 volumes), 2 years, and re-catalogued lieutenant

Librarian’s assistant, Enoch Pratt Free Library, 1892, assistant librarian, 1898-1904.

Librarian Public Library, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1904-1941, retired. Now librarian emeritus.

Chairman official city commission to finance and develop the Garfield Memorial Gardens. Chairman citizens’ committee which secured adoption of the block system of house numbering for the City of Grand Rapids.

Editor: Franklin and Marshall College Catalogue of Officers and Students, 1787-1903, with the addresses of those living, et cetera, 1903.

Contributor to Library Jour, since 1896. Editor-in-chief of Franklin and Marshall College Alumni Association publications (almost 10 years).

Achievements

• Samuel Haverstick Ranck has been listed as a noteworthy librarian by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Fellow American Library Institute. Member of council and chairman various committees for many years). Member National Geographic Society, American History Association, Maryland.

History Society, Lancaster Company History Society, Michigan Pioneer and History Society (honorary life.

Member advisory council of alumni Franklin and Marshall College, 1903-1938 (president 1903-1928). Member Michigan State Board Library Commissioners, 1919-1921.

Clubs: Camera (honorary life), Grand Rapids Teachers. Club (honorary life), Chamber of Commerce (honorary life), U. (a founder.

Served as secretary Executive Committee Campau Centennial Celebration, commemorating 100th anniversary of arrival of Louis Campau, the founder of the city of Grand Rapids.

Connections

Married Judith A. Blackburn (Wellesley College, 1897), October 15, 1901 (died December 1936). Children: Elizabeth Powell (Mistress Charles East. Hodgman), Theodore Valentine, Wilson Marcy.

Father:

Jacob Eby Ranck

Mother:

Martha Bausman (Haverstick) Ranck

Spouse:

Judith A. Blackburn

child:

Wilson Marcy Ranck

child:

Elizabeth Powell Ranck (Mistress Charles East. Hodgman)

child:

Theodore Valentine Ranck