John Rankin, who has departed this life, became a resident of Pottawattamie County in 1873 and was here engaged in general agricultural pursuits to the time of his demise. He was born near Allegheny, Pennsylvania, on the 24th of February, 1839, a son of Archibald Rankin, also a native of that state. Upon the home farm he was reared and resided until he had attained middle age, when he removed to Illinois, where he spent a year or two. About 1873 he arrived in Pottawattamie County and secured a farm of three hundred and twenty acres of land in Grove Township. He purchased this property of the Osler estate after the cyclone of June 9, 1880, which killed Mr. Osler, his wife and two children. The buildings upon the place having been demolished, Mr. Rankin rebuilt them, set out trees, and otherwise developed the property, adding many modern improvements and conveniences. His entire life was devoted to farming, save for a year or two in which he operated a sawmill in West Virginia. In all of his farm work he was practical, energetic and persevering, and it was these qualities which enabled him to gain a measure of success whereby he was enabled to leave his family in comfortable financial circumstances.

It was on the 12th of February, 1862, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, that John Rankin was united in marriage to Miss Alice Giles, who was born in Blythe, England, May 3, 1836, and came to the United States at the age of seven years with her father. She now resides upon the old homestead with her son but spends more or less time with her other children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rankin were born seven children: Archibald, living at Salt Lake, Utah; Jennie, deceased; Laura; John P., who has passed away; William A., who resides on the old homestead; Bruce, of Mills county, Iowa; and Mrs. Alice C. Hamilton, of Salt Lake, Utah. The son William, who is now cultivating the old homestead property, is recognized as one of the energetic and enterprising farmers of the community, thoroughly reliable in his business affairs. On the 10th of October 1894, he was joined in wedlock to Miss Gertrude Pace, who was born in Logan County, Illinois, January 13, 1876, and was brought to Pottawattamie County when two years of age by her parents, Charles and Hannah (Sides) Pace, who now reside in Carson. Unto Mr. and Mrs. William A. Rankin have been born five children: Glenn, Claude, Gladys, Earl and John. The family are much esteemed in the community, where William A. Rankin is successfully carrying forward the work instituted by his father in the improvement and development of the farm.

John Rankin continued to cultivate this place until his death, being killed by a horse November 9, 1892. He was prominent in Masonic circles, belonging to Carson lodge, and he was also somewhat influential in political affairs as a supporter of the democracy. His fellow townsmen recognizing his worth and ability frequently called him to public office and he filled various township positions, including those of justice of the peace and constable. There were no exciting chapters in his life record, for the years were devoted to the practical duties of the work-a-day world, and yet his record is not without valuable lessons concerning good citizenship, trustworthiness in business, and fidelity to all the ties of friendship and of home.