Ransom Township is a township in Nobles County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 271 at the 2000 census.
Geography
thumb|left|Plat Map of Ransom Township, Minnesota - 1914
thumb|left|Ransom Humiston, namesake of Ransom Township
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.4 square miles (94.2 km), all land. The main geographic feature of Ransom Township is a small segment of the Little Rock Creek found in the western portions of the township.
Main highways include:
- 20px Nobles County Road 4
- 20px Nobles County Road 6
- 20px Nobles County Road 13
History
Organization of Ransom Township was approved by the Nobles County Board on September 3, 1872. It was originally called Grant Township after former General, and then presidential candidate, Ulysses S. Grant. Many of the pioneer settlers were Union Army veterans and this name had wide support. However, the county board was informed by the state auditor's office that another Grant Township existed in Washington County, Minnesota. Thus, on July 10, 1873, the name was officially changed to Ransom Township in honor of Ransom Humiston, agent for the National Colony, which brought large groups of settlers to Worthington from 1872 until 1876. Township residents were not consulted on the name change. Grant Township in Washington County was broken up and absorbed among neighboring townships in 1919. However, the small town of Grant, Minnesota, still exists in the same vicinity.
Demographics
As of the census