JOHN C. RANKIN       

The Peoples Herald, Thursday, June 22, 1916, Pg. 1

Vol. 28, No. 4

JOHN C. RANKIN DIED

SATURDAY, JUNE 17TH

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  John C. Rankin was born in Ripley, Ohio, May 4, 1846.  He attended school until he was sixteen years of age.  In 1862 he enlisted in Co. E, 7th Ohio cavalry.  He did service in pursuit of Morgan and Basil Duke.  He participated in the Knoxville fight under Gen. Burnsides, then joined the army of the Cumberland at Chattanooga.  He was in the Atlanta campaign and came to Nashville with Gen. Thomas’ army.   He was with Wilson’s cavalry at Eastport, Miss. raided across Alabama to Macon, Ga., returned to Nashville and was mustered out in 1865, having served his country for three years.

  In December after he was mustered out, he came to Kansas, locating at Lawrence where he attended the state university for one year.  He remained in Lawrence until 1869 when he came to Osage county, locating at Quenemo, where he engaged in mercantile business and in farming four miles west of there.  Quenemo continued the center of his activities until his death.

  He was elected Co. Treasurer in 1879 and re-elected in 1882.  In 1889 he was elected to the state senate, serving four years.

  He was married at Emporia, Jan. 5, 1871 to Mrs. Mary E. Carpenter who survives him.  Besides his wife there remain to mourn his departure two sisters, Mrs. B. R. Cleveland and Mrs. Mary F. Nixon, both of Cincinnati, Ohio, Mrs. Martha Morris of Reading, Kas., a daughter by adoption, Miss Lillie Rankin of Spirit Lake, Ind., J. T. Rankin of Quenemo, cousins and many other more distant relatives and a host of very intimate friends.  The sisters were present to minister and to comfort during much of the fatal illness of their brother.

  Mr. Rankin identified himself with the Presbyterian church of Quenemo in 1874 of which church he continued an earnest, active and faithful member, serving in the capacity of ruling elder for twenty-seven years.  He was transferred to the church triumphant and entered upon his reward Saturday morning, June 17, 1916, at the age of 70 years, 1 month and 13 days.

  He is not dead, just passed on ahead.

  Truly he was a great man, great in his heart life, great in his tenderness and care for every person or living thing in his reach, great in his loyalty, love and devotion, great in his friendship, great in his interest in and effort for the best things in life for himself, and for his community.

  So far as his active life in Quenemo is concerned our beloved brother, friend and comrade is gone, his life is ended; but there are very many whose life has touched in various ways who will rise up and call him blessed.  His work and influence will long be remembered and be fruitful of much good.

  The funeral services were held on Monday, afternoon from the Presbyterian church.  Heavy rain had fallen.  The roads were in bad condition preventing the attendance of many from all parts of the county, but the church was packed to its utmost capacity.  The members of the local post, G. A. R. attended the services in a body together with a large number of visiting members.  The tribute of silence and falling tear told something of the place their fallen comrade held in their counsels and their hearts.

  The service was conducted by the pastor, Rev. J. K. Miller, assisted by Dr. W. C. Templeton, pastor of the first Presbyterian church of Emporia who served the Presbyterian church in Quenemo as pastor about twenty-five years ago.

  The floral tributes were very beautiful and abundant.  The crowded house and the magnificent array of flowers were eloquent in their expression of the high esteem oin which our departed brother was held and also of the deep sympathy and respect for the bereaved wife and sisters and other relatives.

  The remains were laid to rest in Oak Hill cemetery.