BIO: RANKIN Family, Centre County, Pennsylvania

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Commemorative Biographical Record of Central Pennsylvania: Including the 
Counties of Centre, Clearfield, Jefferson and Clarion: Containing Biographical 
Sketches of Prominent and Representative Citizens, Etc. 
Chicago: J. H. Beers, 1898.
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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, pages 100-101

RANKIN FAMILY (THE) of Centre County, of which William B. Rankin, of Bellefonte, 
is a worthy and respected representative, is of old Pennsylvania stock. The 
first of the line to settle in Centre County was William Rankin, the grandfather 
of the gentleman named, and a native of Franklin County, Penn., born November 5, 
1770. He took a prominent place among the pioneers of this section, and was the 
second sheriff of Centre County, and from 1806 to 1810 a member of the State 
Legislature. His residence was in Spruce Creek Valley, where he died November 
29, 1847, at the age of seventy-seven years. By his first wife, a Miss Maginley, 
he had eight children: (1) William M. and (2) James Munsey were prominent 
physicians, the former of Shippensburg, Penn., and the latter of Muncy, Penn.; 
(3) Joseph Alexander is mentioned more fully below; (4) Abigail married Ephraim 
Bailey, and now resides in Kossuth. Iowa; (5) Adam, deceased, was a farmer at 
Stormstown, Penn.; two daughters, Mary and Elizabeth, died unmarried. By a 
second marriage (the last time), with Miss Huston, there was one daughter, 
Susannah, who died in early womanhood. 
  The late Joseph Alexander Rankin, father of William B. Rankin, was reared upon 
a farm in Penn's Valley, at Centre Hill, near Potters Mills, the district 
schools of the vicinity furnishing the usual educational opportunities, of which 
he made the utmost, preparing himself for teaching. He followed this occupation 
until 1850 when, his approaching marriage causing him to seek more remunerative 
work, he engaged in the insurance business. On April 17, 1851, he was united in 
wedlock with Miss Mary E. Blair, a native of Penn's Valley, born October 23, 
1824, and six children blessed this union: (1) Abigail (deceased), who married 
Charles F. Cook, and had five children-Annie M., William H., Nettie J., Joseph 
R. and Abbie; (2) William B., of this sketch; (3) Sarah C., who died in the 
spring of 1896, in her fortieth year: (4) Annie M., who died in 1882 at the age 
of twenty-four years; (5) Caroline E., who resides in Clearfield County; and (6) 
John, who died Nov. 14, 1893, in his thirty-first year. After his marriage 
Joseph A. Rankin made his home for twelve years in Spruce Creek Valley near the 
line between Centre and Huntingdon Counties, but the remainder of his life was 
spent in Bellefonte. He made a specialty of fire insurance, and built up a large 
business which he continued until five years before his death. In political 
faith he was first a Whig and later a Republican, and he was a leading member of 
the Presbyterian Church, with which the family had been identified many years, 
his father having been a ruling elder in the society at Spruce Creek. Joseph 
Rankin died February 15, 1888, but Mrs. Rankin, who is a lady of fine 
intelligence, is still living and enjoying excellent health for one of her age.
  William B. Rankin was born January 3, 1854, and as a boy was given the 
advantage of the public schools of Bellefonte, his course there being 
supplemented by an attendance at the Bellefonte Academy. His first employment 
was as a clerk in a store, but the growth of his father's business caused him to 
be called to assist in that, and on the retirement of the father in 1883, 
William B. Rankin purchased the entire interest, and has since carried on the 
enterprise as sole proprietor. Fire insurance is still the chief line, and the 
business extends throughout Centre County, Mr. Rankin's high character and sound 
judgment having gained the confidence of the general public. He represents 
twelve fire insurance companies, one life and one accident company. He has been 
an Odd Fellow since 1878, and has filled all the chairs in the Subordinate and 
Encampment, and has been district deputy grand master two terms. He is secretary 
of the school board, of which he has been a member for fifteen years. He was 
auditor of Bellefonte for three years. Politically, he gives his 

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD - 101

influence to the support of the Republican party. His wife, formerly Miss 
Adelaide Bailey, was born March 27, 1854, in Wellsboro, Tioga Co., Penn. Both 
take great interest in all that concerns the welfare of the community. They have 
six children: Lillie B., Elsie M., Walter B., John A., Adelaide and Mary. 
  The Blair family, of which Mr. Rankin's mother is a member, is of Irish 
origin, her grandfather, William Blair, having come from County Antrim, Ireland, 
to settle in New Jersey: where he spent the latter part of his life. His son 
Samuel (Mrs. Rankin's father) was a native of that State, but left in early 
manhood and located for a time in Pennsylvania. Later he resided for twenty 
years in Wayne County, Ohio, and then spent one year in Illinois; but after this 
opportunity for observation he wisely chose to pass his remaining years in this 
section. He settled at Milesburg, Centre County, and his death occurred in 
Spruce Creek Valley. By occupation he was a chain maker and wheelwright, and 
held various political offices in his township, and, in Ohio, he served as 
justice of the peace for some time. He married Margaret Eakin, a native of 
Penn's Valley, and had five children, Mrs. Rankin being the first in order of 
birth; (2) Eleanor married Miles Read, of Clearfield County; (3) Sarah J. is not 
married; (4) Catherine died at the age of thirty; and (5) William J. lived only 
fifteen months.