My Genealogy Hound

CAPT R. C. RANKIN, P. O. Ripley, was born in Nicholas County, Ky., in 1821, and is a son of Rev. John and Jane (Lowery) Rankin, natives of East Tennessee. John Rankin was a graduate of Washington College, Tennessee, in which he studied theology. In 1816, he came to Kentucky and preached until 1822, at which time he came to Ripley, Ohio, to take charge of the Presbyterian Church, in which he labored till 1866; he then went to New Richmond, Ohio, for two years; thence to Illinois and spent one year, thence to Kansas, from which he returned in the winter of 1881 and 1882. He is now located in Trenton, Ohio, and in the ninetieth year of his age. The family was originally from Scotland, where they were obliged to leave in 1689 on account of religious persecutions, and flee to Ireland. John Rankin founded the family in this county in 1727. To Rev. John Rankin and wife were born thirteen children, all of whom grew up to maturity - Rev. Adam L., Isabella J., David (deceased), Richard C., Rev. Samuel G. W., Julia D. (deceased), John T., Dr. Andrew C., Mary E., William A., Rev. Arthur T., Thomas L. and Lowery. R. C. enlisted in 1861, in the Twelfth Ohio Regiment, and was mustered out after three months as a First Lieutenant. In July following, he enlisted in the Fourth Independent Cavalry; served one year and was mustered out an Orderly Sergeant. In August, 1862, was appointed Second Lieutenant in the Seventh Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, and was made First Lieutenant, and later, January 1, Captain, from which date he commanded a battalion of troops, till July, 1865. The Captain justly bears the reputation of a brave and efficient commander, a distinction and credit he won on many a bloody field of battle. Since his return to civil life, he has been actively engaged, and prosecutes his labors as a civilian with as much force and energy as he did in the days of his warfare. He was married, April 26, 1847, to Isabella (Porter) Wisner, by whom he has had ten children, seven of whom are living — Isabella J., William A., Almira, Alice, Laura, Jessie and Richard C., Jr.; the deceased were Esther, Harriet and U. S. Grant, twin brother to R. C, Jr. The Captain is an honored member of Union Lodge, No. 71, Ripley Chapter, No. 82, and a member of the Wirt Liggett Post of the Grand Army of the Republic.