U.S. Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ -- USGenNet Inc. -- Please read the U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on the following page: --------------------------------------------------------------------- Rankin, Barrick S. (1872-1939) --------------------------------------------------------------------- A History of Preston County West Virginia Biographical Department, Supplied by J. R. Cole Kingwood, W. Va., The Journal Publishing Company, 1914 by H. S. Whetsell Pages 729-730, BARRICK S. RANKIN, M. D. Among those advocating progressive principles along all lines of professional work, the same as political, is that of Dr. Rankin of Tunneltown, one of the well known physicians of Preston county. He is of Scotch descent, and possesses the sturdy qualities of that race. His earliest ancestor in this country, so far as is known, was Joseph Rankin, who came from Scotland in Colonial days and settled in New York, He married Patience Warren, a sister of Joseph Warren of Bunker Hill fame. They moved to Kenebec county, Maine, where John, their son, was born — the above-mentioned John being the great-great-grand- father of the doctor. The great-grandfather was born in the town of Fairfield, Maine, then called Smithfield. He married a Mrs. Maine, a widow, and by her had two children: John Warren Rankin, born June 4, 1794; and a daughter, who married a Mr. Furbush. When seventeen years old, John Warren Rankin left Fairfield and went to New Brunswick. When twenty-three years old he married Jane Tapley and moved to Aroostook county, Maine. A large family of twelve children were born to this union, as follows: Sherman, John, May, Sarah, Jacob, George Franklin, Anna, Samuel T., Charles Henry, Robert, Alexander, Hoyt. George F. died in Florida while in the Civil War. He was in the 1st Maine Cavalry. Charles H. was in the 7th Maine Infantry, and was killed in the Battle of the Wilderness. Samuel T. Rankin was born August 24, 1845, and died July i, 1910. He married Amanada C. Irland of Calais, Maine, in December, 1868. He was a lumberman. To this union were born five children, namely: Birchfield, born in Clearfield county, Pa., in 1870, died when three years old. Barrick S., born in Clearfield county, Pa., on July 16, 1872. Maude, born October 25, 1877, in Clearfield county, Pa.; now Mrs. Guinn Neely of North Yakima, Washington. Claude Ray and Clare May (twins), born September 14, 1882, in Clearfield county, Pa. Clarge May married G. B. Green of Greenbrier county, W. Va., and Claude Ray, who resides in Knoxwood, Ala., married Miss Lillian Josephine Bird of Nashville. Dr. Rankin was educated in the public schools of Clearfield county, Pa., where he lived until seventeen years of age, assisting his father in the lumber business when not at school. During the years of 1888 and 1889 he attended the Normal School at Clearfield, Pa., and in the fall of 1890 the family moved to West Virginia, where he again assisted his father as a lumberman at Richwood, until he took up the study of medicine, since which time he has been devotedly attached to his profession. His studies in medicine were completed at the Baltimore Medical College, where the degree of Doctor of Medicine was given him May 21, 1907. His standing in the college fraternity was high, as shown by his election as a delegate from the college department of the Y.M.C.A., of which he was president, to Nashville, Tenn., where 5,000 delegates were convened in 1906, in the interest of the missionary crusade. In October, 1907, Dr. Rankin, having been educationally equipped for the duties of his profession, located at Tunnelton, Preston county, W. Va., where he has since built up a large clientele in the general practice of his profession. Dr. Rankin is a genial, wholesoulful man, both in the sick room and out of it. He possesses a charming personality, and believes in everybody being happy and enjoying all the sunshine there is in life, and his hearty manner diffuses good cheer wherever he goes. Socially he is well liked, politically he is a pronounced progressive, and believes that the salvation of this country is along those lines, and that this nation is yet in its infancy as a power for good in the world of nations. On May 22, 1893, Dr. Rankin was married to Mabel Johnson, daughter of John M. and Mary Ann (Taylor) Johnson of Athens, Ohio. On May 9, 1894, their daughter Blanche was born. She is a charming young lady now completing her education in the New Hampton Literary Institution, N. H. In 191 a more permanent residence was taken up in their elegant new home which is equipped with every modern convenience and the plan and architecture is an index to the genius of its owner. Hospitality is extended to everybody by both Dr. and Mrs. Rankin. Both of them are active members of the Methodist Church. Dr. Rankin is president of the Medical Society of Preston County; president of the Board of Education of Kingwood District, and health officer of the town in which he lives. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity of high degree, holds a membership in the McKinley Lodge, No. 22, I.O.O.F., of Richwood, W. Va., and also belongs to the order of J.O.U.A.M. --------------------------------------------------------------------- From Death Certificate, Preston County, WV #10959 FULL-NAME: Barrack Samuel Rankin BIRTH-DATE: July 16, 1872 BIRTH-PLACE: Clearfield, Pa. DEATH-DATE: August 22, 1939 at age 67y-1m-6d DEATH-PLACE: near Albright, Preston County, WV MARITAL-STATUS: Married (Mabel Rankin) OCCUPATION: Physician FATHER: Samuel Rankin (born in Clearfield, Pa.) MOTHER: Amanda Ireland (born in Maine) CAUSE-OF-DEATH: Drowning INFORMANT: Mabel Rankin (of Kingwood, W.Va.) BURIAL: Kinwood Cemetery --------------------------------------------------------------------- If you've reached this file through a SEARCH, you can access other biographies for Preston County, WV by going to the following URL: http://www.us-data.org/wv/preston/bios.html ---------------------------------------------------------------------