My Genealogy Hound

ROBERT C. RANKIN, attorney, was born in Elizabeth township, Allegheny county, September 25, 1854, a son of Samuel C. and Rebecca (Williamson) Rankin. His paternal grandparents, Robert and Margaret (Culbert) Rankin, natives of Londonderry, Ireland, emigrated to America in 1839, settled in Elizabeth township, this county, and engaged in farming; they reared eight children: John, Jr., Alexander, Samuel C., David, William, Catherine (Mrs. Andrew Kelley), Eliza (Mrs. J. K. Graham) and Margaret. Of these Samuel C. is a farmer and well-known citizen of Elizabeth township, and has served one term as director of the poor of this county. His wife, Rebecca, was a daughter of Samuel and Martha (McCombs) William son, of Washington county. By her he had five children: Robert C., John W., Mary, Samuel H. and Maggie. Of these Robert C. was reared on his father’s farm and was prepared for college at Elizabeth Academy, after which he entered the University of Wooster, from which he was graduated in 1878. For two years thereafter he was principal of the public schools at Orrville, Ohio. He then registered with R. E. Stewart, of Pittsburgh, as a law student, and was admitted to practice at the Allegheny county bar, in October, 1882. In December, 1883, he came to McKeesport, where he has since been known as an able attorney, and has held the office of borough solicitor since May, 1886, his term expiring April 1, 1891. Mr. Rankin married in July, 1884, Jennie F., daughter of Rev. J. K. and Belle (Hill) Melhorn, of Pittsburgh, and has one son, Raymond S.