Jennison, Charles Ransford, physician and soldier, was born in Jefferson county, N. Y., June 6, 1834. He was of English descent, some of his father's ancestors having settled in Vermont in the colonial days and fought in the Revolution. He was educated in the common schools until he was twelve years old, when his parents went to Wisconsin. At the age of nineteen years he began to study medicine. After completing his medical course he practiced for a short time in Wisconsin and then came to Kansas, settling at Osawatomie in 1857. Within a short time he removed to Mound City, where he remained for three years, and then went to Leavenworth. Dr. Jennison was one of John Brown's stanch supporters. Gov. Robinson commissioned him captain of the Mound City Guards on Feb. 19, 1861, and on Sept. 4 he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of the Seventh Kansas cavalry, which became known as "Jennison's Jayhawkers." He was assigned command of the western border of Missouri with headquarters at Kansas City. He determined to clear the border of guerrillas and his name soon became a terror to lawless bands. His conduct was such that Gen. Hunter appointed him acting brigadier-general, and he was placed in command of "all the troops in Kansas west of and on the Neosho." At the time of the Lawrence massacre Gov. Carney called upon Jennison to raise a regiment, of which he was made colonel on Oct. 17, 1863, with headquarters at Leavenworth. While in command at Fort Leavenworth he was authorized on March 5, 1864, to raise and organize a post battery. On July 20, 1864, he was placed in command of a regiment in the field and had command of the district of southern Kansas. During the summer he made a foray into Platte and Clay counties, Mo., against bushwhackers who had been committing depredations in Kansas, and in other ways he successfully protected the border until Price's raid. At the time of this raid he met Price's forces at Lexington, Mo., while reconnoitering under orders from Gen. Curtis. With his regiment he took part in the engagement at the Little Blue, where he was in command of the first division. In the fall of 1864 he was elected a member of the Leavenworth council, was made president of that body and ex-officio mayor. In 1865 he was elected to the legislature from Leavenworth county; was reëlected in 1867, and in 1872 was elected to the state senate. He died at Leavenworth June 21, 1884.