Nettie Ransford

Worthy Grand Matron of the Indiana Grand Chapter in 1879, 1880 and 1883, Most Worthy Grand Matron in 1889, Grand Secretary in 1894 and first appointed member of the Masonic Home Board.

Antoinette "Nettie" Helen Campbell was born in Little Falls, New York on November 6th, 1838. Both of her parents emigrated to the United States from Scotland. After her graduation she moved to Nebraska where she taught school in Omaha and later Fort Calhoun. It was there that she met William P. Ransford and on April 25th, 1858 they were married. They moved to La Porte, Indiana in 1862 and then to the small town of Indianapolis in 1870. They had two daughters, one who died in infancy and one who died as a young girl. Mrs. Ransford was a faithful member of La Porte Episcopal Church where she taught infants and was widely known as a lover of children.

She was initiated into Eastern Star in 1872 into Queen Esther Chapter No. 3 and served as Worthy Matron in 1874, 1875, 1876 and 1884 during the very early years of the Order. She attended the first 18 sessions of the Grand Chapter of Indiana, missing the 19th after suffering a severe accident which confined her to her bed. She submitted a report to that body in 1876 which established the Labyrinth as part of the work of the Order. She was chairman of the Correspondence Committee in 1879 and was elected Worthy Grand Matron for the first time that year. She served as Worthy Grand Matron again in 1880 and 1883 and made countless official visits during her terms in office. She participated in the organization of the General Grand Chapter at Indianapolis in 1876 and attended every one of its meetings to follow. In 1889 she was elected as Most Worthy Grand Matron of the General Grand Chapter and was the first to serve under a changed constitution, extending her powers as Executive Officer beyond the annual meeting to her entire term of office. During her term she visited 11 of the Grand Jurisdictions under the General Grand Chapter.

Mrs. Ransford was instrumental in the establishment of the Indian Masonic Home. In an address given by Brother Charles Benedict, Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons, in 1916, he said:

It was the Order of the Eastern Star that started the movement for a Masonic Home. It had been proposed to the Grand Lodge of Masons but failed. When your messenger, Brother Philip Zoercher, knocked at the door of the Grand Lodge and presented your demand was acceded to the proposition. Not only that but under the splendid leadership of your Grand Secretary, Mrs. Nettie Ransford, you laid on the Altar of Masonry the splendid sum of $32,000. I commend you for this splendid accomplishment. I commend you, more than all, for the spirit with which this donation was made. The Home in Franklin will be a home in reality mostly because of the assistance and helpfulness of the Eastern Star. No matter how beautiful you may build the structure, in marble and decorate with gold, it would not be a home without the tender and sympathetic touch of women.

Nettie Ransford was an active member of the Woman's Relief Corps, the Auxiliary to the Grand Army of the Republic, a patriotic organization founded after the Civil War and devoted to honoring the memory of War Veterans. She owned her own printing company which employed an all female staff. She was a charter member of the Indianapolis Council of Local Women and one of the first women admitted to the Indianapolis Press Club. She was editor of "The Eastern Star," the official magazine of the Order for 37 years. She was also a member of the New Century and Caledonian Club. She answered her own correspondence and was frequently called upon to make introductions at official meetings, assist in answering questions regarding everything from law and government of the Order to questions regarding dress code. She devoted her life to the welfare of others in keeping with the motto that she had chosen for herself:

It is to give freely of myself as I can to help my fellow creatures: to keep right on letting my conscious share in everything I do, believing that right will prevail.

She suffered two severe accidents during her life. After breaking her right wrist, she purchased a typewriter and learned to type with her left hand in order to answer her extensive correspondence. She later fell down an elevator shaft and was not expected to live. However she continued to dictate letters from her bed and later recovered from her injuries. She continued to serve several terms as Worthy Matron of Queen Esther Chapter and later served as the Chapter's Secretary. She served as the Grand Secretary of the Indiana Grand Chapter from 1894 until her death. On November 20th, 1928, Nettie Ransford died at the Indiana Masonic Home in Franklin, IN after being critically ill for six months. She was the oldest living Worthy Matron of Queen Esther Chapter. It was said by friends that she was kept alive through sheer iron will in order that she would be able to celebrate her 90th birthday, which she did with the members of her beloved Queen Esther Chapter. She was given a brief memorial service in the parlor of the Indiana Masonic Home. Her body was then escorted to the Masonic Temple in Indianapolis where it was to lie in state in the rotunda. The next day she was given the funeral rites by the Reverend Vancuren, Rector of Christ Church. She is buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis.

Mrs. Ransford was constantly involved with the construction and growth of the Indiana Masonic Home where she was referred to at the "Mother of the Masonic Home." She was a frequent visitor to the Home and spent the last few months of her life as a resident there. The Ransford Chapel at the Indiana Masonic Home is named in honor of Nettie Ransford. It is a popular venue for weddings, programs and other events. Every year on the first Sunday of November, Nettie Ransford Day is celebrated there. At this event, the history of Nettie Ransford is presented and projects to enhance the buildings, furnishings and facilities are dedicated.

Referenced from Woman of the Century (1893) by Frances Elizabeth Willard, an article by Laura A. Smith appearing in Volume 6, Issue 7 of "The Eastern Star" (December, 1893) published by Ransford, Metcalf & Co. and "The Franklin Evening Star" November 20, 1928, Franklin, IN.