Justin W. Ranney

Justin Worthy Ranney (January 4, 1821 – September 13, 1898) was an American farmer, Republican politician, and Wisconsin pioneer. He was a member of the Wisconsin Senate, representing La Crosse and Vernon counties during the 1867 and 1868 sessions. His name was often abbreviated as , and his first name was sometimes incorrectly listed as "Joel".

Biography Justin W. Ranney was born January 4, 1821, in Augusta, New York. He was raised and educated in New York. His mother died in 1835, and his father subsequently remarried. At age 18, Ranney went to work, teaching school for several winters while learning the carpenter's trade in the summers. He ultimately established his own mill and operated it for several years. and his farm would be recognized as one of the most successful in the region.

Ranney was active throughout his life in agricultural interests, but rarely served in elected office. He ran for Wisconsin Senate in 1866 and was nominated at the National Union Party district convention over former state representative William H. Officer. His nomination caused some controversy in the 31st Senate district, which then comprised all of La Crosse and Vernon counties. Prior to 1866, there had been an informal agreement that the next Union nominee for that district would be from Vernon County, but at the convention, the La Crosse delegates stubbornly supported Ranney against Vernon County's William Officer, and finally secured the nomination for Ranney by pledging that Vernon County could have the next two nominations (1868, 1870).

Ranney went on to win the general election, defeating Democrat John C. Kurtze. He served in the 1867 and 1868 legislative sessions, and, as pledged, did not seek renomination in 1868. During 1867, the National Union coalition began to break down over disagreements on reconstruction, and in 1868 Ranney identified with the Republican Party.

Ranney remained active with the Republican Party and was a perennial delegate to the county and district level conventions. While attending the 1870 senatorial convention, Ranney, along with the rest of the La Crosse delegation, again broke their promise to the Vernon delegation and secured the nomination of Angus Cameron over the incumbent Cyrus M. Butt.

Ranney died on his farm in Hamilton on September 13, 1898, after a period of poor health.