My Genealogy Hound
Below is a family biography included in the History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania published in 1889 by A. Warner & Co. These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary. Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more. There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.
* * * *
THOMAS RANKIN, real-estate dealer, post-office Rankin, is a native of Carroll county, Ohio, born Nov. 11, 1834. His father, John Rankin, a cabinet-maker by trade, was a native of Washington county, Pa. It was some time previous to the Revolution that two brothers named Rankin came to America and settled in Washington county, Pa. John, the son of one of the above, named Thomas, a farmer, married Charlotte Lytle, in Pittsburgh, in the year 1818, and was the father of eight children, two of whom are deceased. Thomas, the youngest member of his family, was educated in Ohio, and early in life commenced his business career, first as a clerk, and in 1859 embarked in business for himself, and so continued until 1867. He then formed a partnership with his brother in the wholesale grocery business for twelve years, under the firm name of M. W. Rankin & Brother. In 1871 Mr. Rankin came to what is now known as Rankin station and purchased five acres of land, which has since been used for building purposes. He married, Jan. 1, 1861, Abby J., daughter of Charles C. Olmsted, of Rome, Ohio, and one daughter, Clara Lois Rankin, has blessed their union. Politically Mr. Rankin is a republican.
* * * *
This family biography is one of 2,156 biographies included in the History of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania published in 1889 by A. Warner & Co.
View additional Allegheny County, Pennsylvania family biographies here: Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Biographies
Use the links at the top right of this page to search or browse thousands of other family biographies.