Col. Charles A. Ranlett (1874-1961) by Margaret Ingraham and Alec Ingraham

The Colonel, grandson of clipper ship Captain Charles A. Ranlett, is remembered in Billerica as an outstanding equestrian who fought in World War I. He was a familiar figure at Memorial Day parades riding one of his fine horses. As late as 1933 he would gallop from Billerica to Boston on his yearly trip to inspect the youthful marchers from the Boston schools. In later years, the Colonel contributed many articles on hunting and fishing to nationally recognized publications. His valuable collection of firearms included several which were used at the Battles of Lexington and Concord.

This article was extracted from the Spring 2000 edition of The Yankee Doodle Times, newsletter of the Billerica Historical Society.