Cable, Ransom R.

Cable, Ransom R.

(1834–1909) railroad developer; born in Athens County, Ohio. A coal miner for many years in Rock Island, Ill., he became interested in railroads and by 1870 had become president of the Rockford, Rock Island & St. Louis railroad. In 1877 he was elected director of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company, with which he stayed, rising through the presidency (1883) to become chairman of the board (1898–1902).