W.W. Ranney came to Mower County in 1878, and to Austin in January, 1887. He was born in Massachusetts in 1830. When nine years old his parents moved to Kentucky. He graduated from the Iowa Law School in 1876 and practiced law two years at Lansing Iowa, prior to coming to Mower County.

He practiced law at Grand Meadow until 1886, when he was elected judge of probate. He has been justice of the peace since 1891 and in addition to the law, pays considerable attention to real estate, having platted West Park and Woodlawn Park additions to the city.

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Source: "The Queen of Southern Minnesota", Austin Daily Register

Submitted to MnGenWeb by Kathy Pike, Oct. 2006