Coleman Bernard Ransone

COLEMAN BERNARD RANSONE, M. D. The unselfish attitude of the medical profession with reference to the public health and the expediency of averting, through scientific prevention, the spread of infectious diseases has become so generally recognized as to occasion no unusual comment, but it is none the less praiseworthy or important, and the men who are giving their lives to this work are humanitarians of the finest character. In his work as superintendent of public health for the City of Newport News, .Dr. Coleman Bernard Ransone is achieving most remarkable results, which are bringing him most favorably before the public as an efficient official and skilled physician.

Doctor Ransone, was born in Mathews County, Virginia, December 8, 1886, a son of William Stanley and Eugenia (Borum) Ransone, both of whom were born, reared, and are living in old Mathews County, and are of English descent. The father is a farmer and oysterman. The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, has in him an exemplary member and efficient steward, and he is equally zealous in behalf of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of which lodge lie is a member.

Having determined upon entering the medical profession, from his boyhood Coleman Bernard Ransone worked to educate himself, and put himself through college by teaching school in the intervals of study. He took his degree of Licentiate Instructor from William and Mary College, and then, during 1907 and 1908, was principal of the high school of Kenbridge, Virginia, following which for a year he was connected with the high school at Mathews Court House as principal. Returning to William and Mary College, he taught there while studying for his degree of Bachelor of Arts, which lie secured in 1910. For the subsequent year he was engaged in teaching at Alley, Scott County, Virginia, and then matriculated at the Medical College of Virginia at Richmond, and was graduated therefrom June 1, 1915, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. He took his internship at the City Hospital and the Virginia Hospital, both of Richmond, following the completion of which he entered upon a general practice at Hopewell, Virginia.

With the entry of this country into the World war, Doctor Ransone offered the Government his services, enlisting May 10, 1917, and was commissioned a lieutenant of the Junior grade, Medical Corps of the United States Navy, and later was promoted to the rank of lieutenant of the Senior grade, and was stationed first at Washington City. Subsequently he was with the naval aviation detachment at Akron, Ohio, for fifteen months. From there he went to New York and saw service on a receiving ship and at the Naval Base, Hampton Roads, as an instructor in the in the Pharmacists’ Mate School for fifteen months, and was there when he resigned his commission. Upon its acceptance he came to Newport News and entered upon it general practice. He is now a lieutenant of the junior grade in the Medical Officers’ Reserve Corps, United States Navy.

Doctor Ransone continued in a general practice until February, 1927, when he became superintendent of public health for Newport News. He is an insistent and tireless worker for the control and isolation of social diseases. Hunting is his diversion. Professionally he maintains membership with the county, state and national medical and public health associations, and the Walter Reed Medical Society. lie belongs to the American Legion.

Doctor Ransone married in 1917, at Washington City, Miss Natalie Sterling Neblett, of Lunenburg County, Virginia. They have one son, Coleman Romane.