BIO: Dr. William RANKIN, St. Thomas, Franklin County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Denise Phillips

Copyright 2007.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/franklin/
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Medical Men of Franklin County, 1750-1925 by Ambrose Watts Thrush, M.D.;
Chambersburg, Pa.; Medical Society of Franklin County, Page 318-319
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DR. WILLIAM RANKIN

  Dr. Rankin was born October 8, 1795, at Potter's Mills, Center County, Pa.  
His parents were Scotch Irish descent and Presbyterians.

  Dr. Rankin was educated at Washington College, Washington, Pa., from which 
institution he was graduated in 1814.  In 1815 he began the study of medicine 
with Dr. Alex T. Dean in Chambersburg and was graduated M. D. in 1819 from the 
University of Pennsylvania.

  Dr. Rankin began the practice of medicine in Campbellstown probably as early 
as 1816 and practiced in this vicinity until 1821 when he removed to 
Shippensburg, Cumberland County, and was in active and successful practice there 
until 1870 when he was seized with an apoplectic stroke from the result of which 
he died two years later.

  Dr. Rankin was a member of the Medical Society in 1825.  He was a contributor 
to various medical journals and his reputation as a skilful (sic) physician 
reached far beyond the range of his ordinary practice.

  In 1820 he was married in (sic) Miss Caroline Nevin, eldest daughter of Major 
David Nevin of Shippensburg.

  Dr. Rankin is buried in Spring Hill Cemetery, Shippensburg.

  Dr. David Nevin Rankin was the second son of Dr. William Rankin and was born 
in Shippensburg in 1834, educated at Newville and graduated M. D. in 1854 from 
Jefferson Medical College.  He practiced with his father in Shippensburg until 
the opening of the Civil War.  He then entered the Medical Service of the Army 
and served with distinction throughout the war.  After the close of the war he 
located in Allegheny City and in time became one of the most prominent 
physicians in Western Pennsylvania.