My Genealogy Hound

Hon. Samuel F. Rankin, attorney at law of Milan, was born in Wilson County, October 7, 1847. His father, David F. C. Rankin, was born in Rutherford County, Tenn., and came to Gibson County with his family in 1866, and located in Milan, where he followed contracting and building for some years, and finally retired from active life. He died December 2, 1885, leaving a wife, whose maiden name was Susan Young, and five children to mourn his loss. The following are the latter’s names: Samuel F., Rev. Charles Y. (of San Jose, Cal.), Lochie and Dora (missionaries to China) and Anna R. (wife of Willis Reeves). Samuel F. spent his early days at his father’s home in Wilson, Davidson, Rutherford and Williamson Counties, and secured a good preliminary education in Union University at Murfreesboro, and completed his classical course in Milan College, graduating from the same in 1871 with the degree of A. B. He then began the study of law, and taught school two years. He read law under Judge J. L. Williamson, of Milan, and in 1873 was admitted to the Gibson County bar. He is a Democrat and was mayor of Milan during 1877-78, presiding heroically and faithfully during the yellow fever epidemic in that city. In 1880 he was elected to the State Senate, and served with distinction during the sessions of 1881-82. He is a member of the K. of H., and is regarded as a legal practitioner of ability and experience. December 21, 1876, he married Ophelia Barham, of Carroll County.