Escambia County AlArchives Photo person.....Charles F. Rankin 1893
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Ann Anderson alabammygrammy@aol.com May 23, 2004, 12:05 am

Source: Brant & Fuller (1893)
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   HON. CHARLES F. RANKIN, mayor of Brewton, and one of its leading business men
and substantial citizens, is descended from an old Scotch family which, for many
generations, lived at and near the city of Glasgow. Duncan Rankin., grandfather
of Charles F., was born in that city as was also his wife, Janet, whom he
married about the year 1794. Duncan Rankin and wife came to the United States in
1797 and settled in South Carolina, where they resided until about 1822, at
which time the family removed to Alabama. The death of this estimable couple
occurred in the years 1846 and 1849 respectively. The father of Charles F., also
named Duncan, was born May 24, 1798, and by occupation was a planter. He was a
man of many accomplishments, liberally educated in the best schools of his day,
and for a number of years followed the profession of teaching in his native
state. He was a man of commanding presence and dignified deportment, served in
the Creek war with Gen. Jackson, and is remembered as one of the leading
politicians of that part of the state in which he resided so many years. In
1822, in the county of Monroe, Ala., he was united in marriage with Nancy
Baggett, who became the mother of twelve children, as follows: Sarah J., wife of
Drewry Lawyer, both deceased; James B., of Brewton; Hugh, killed at the battle
of Corinth; Robert, deceased; Martha, died in infancy; Daniel C., killed at the
battle of Culpeper Court House. Va.; William, died in childhood; Isabella, wife
of T. S. Sowell, Brewton; Duncan A., farmer near Hillsboro, Tex.; Flora, wife of
Allen Pittman, of Escambia county; John, whose death occurred at an early age,
and Charles F. Rankin. The father and mother of these children died respectively
in the years 1881 and 1882. Charles F. Rankin was born in Monroe county, Ala.,
on the 10th day of July, 1849: His early educational training was limited to a
few months' attendance at the common schools, and during the time he should have
been pursuing his studies the country was distracted by the great Civil war,
which called all the able-bodied men, young and old, to the front, leaving the
support of the families in the hands of the aged and the young. Among the latter
Charles F. Rankin was a conspicuous example, and after the departure of his four
elder brothers for the hostile field he manfully bore his part in the
maintenance of the family. He conducted the farm and looked after his parents'
interests for a number of years, and at the age of twenty moved the family to
Brewton and embarked in the dry goods business at that place. He followed
merchandising with encouraging success until 1874, when he disposed of his
business and accepted the position of assistant timber inspector at Ferry Pass,
Fla., the duties of which he discharged for a limited period and then returned
to Brewton and became bookkeeper in the mercantile establishment of J. F. Dugan.
Subsequently he was similarly employed by J. Blacksher & Co., with which firm he
continued three years, and in 1883 engaged as bookkeeper for H. T. Parker, in
whose service he remained until embarking in business for himself sometime
later. In 1889, the present firm of C. F. Rankin & Co. was formed. This is one
of the largest and most flourishing business houses in Brewton, the stock of
general merchandise being very large and carefully selected, and the sales
aggregating over $30,000 per year. Throughout his entire business career Mr.
Rankin has been actuated by the most honorable motives, and his worth and
popularity as a citizen are attested by the fact that for five consecutive terms
he has filled the office of mayor of Brewton. Mr. Rankin is a true type of the
southern gentleman-affable, generous-and has always been an earnest advocate of
all enterprises having for their object the public welfare. From his ancestors
he has inherited a vigorous constitution, is over six feet in height and of
corresponding weight, which, with an open, kindly countenance and most agreeable
deportment, make him conspicuous in all circles in which he moves. Mr. Rankin
has been twice married; first, in 1875, to Lillie Lovelace, who departed this
life in 1883, leaving four children: Albert L., Herbert C., Howard P. and
Clifford. Mrs. Rankin died during the great yellow fever scourge which visited
Brewton in 1883. She was a woman of exemplary life, possessed a well rounded
christian character, and for a number of years was an earnest member of the
Baptist church. Mr. Rankin's second marriage was solemnized at Union Springs,
Ala., in 1887, with Susan Martin, daughter of William Martin, Esq., of Bullock
county. The issue of this union has been two children: Gordon and. Lillie Bell
Rankin. Mr. Rankin is prominently identified with the K. of H. and Pythian
fraternities, is a democrat in politics and a communicant of the Baptist church.



Additional Comments:
from "Memorial Record of Alabama", Vol. I, p. 992-996
Published by
Brant & Fuller (1893)
Madison, WI

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