He had 2 brothers Marshall T. & and William H. William H. served in Co. "B", 16th Michigan and the former was killed at Elkin's Bend.

He enlisted, as a private at the age of 18, on the 30th of March 1864, living in Otisco Mich. He was from Ionia County Mich. He enlisted to serve three years, and was mustered into the United States services at Saranac, Mich., on the 14th of April 1864, as a Private of Captain William L. Whipple's, later Captain Charles H. Rogers' Company "H", 2nd Regiment Michigan Volunteer Veteran Infantry.

Nathaniel W. Ranger enlisted as a recruit and joined his regiment May 23, 1864, at Spottsylvania, during the battle. He was in the battle of Seven Pines, Cold Harbor, and Fort Steadman and was in all the other engagements of his regiment from the time he joined it until he was wounded. He missed the Mine Explosion, Petersburg on account of being in the hospital with his wound.

While in front of Petersburg, Virginia charging on the Petersburg and Norfolk Railroad, he received a gunshot wound in the left shoulder, the ball lodging there, he was sent to the Field Hospital, where the ball was extracted, then was sent to the Hospital at Mount Pleasant and Little York, Pennsylvania, and when able, rejoined his regiment in front of Petersburg.

He was always at his post of duty, having achieved a gallant record for meritorious service and soldierly conduct at all times.

He was mustered out of the service on the 28th of July 1865 at Delaney House Washington DC, and discharged at Detroit Mich. on the 1st of August 1865.

He was united in marriage to Mary G. Smith, in Plymout h County, Iowa on March 6, 1888, and to them were born four children, named Claude L., Olin T., Lila and Hazel.

He became a member of the Vicksburg Post, No. 61, Department of California and Nevada, Grand Army of the Republic. He was also a member of the I.O.O.F. His wife is a member of Vicksburg Corps No. 37, Woman's Relief Corps.

Oct. 26,2005