"was one of a family of 15 children, 7 boys and 8 girls. Was born on the Kissinger Farm about four miles from Rimersburg. Of this large family one died in infancy while the others grew to manhood and womanhood. Two of these died previous to his death. When he was about eleven years of age his father with the family removed to Jefferson County, near Sigel. They lived there for a number of years. For about 23 years Mr. Rankin has lived on the Kissinger farm. ...and was able to come from New Kensington to be with her son during his illness of nearly a month. Mr. Rankin was never married. He occupied the old farm with his brother, familiariy known as "Jobie," between whom and himself there existed as strong brotherly affection. He was rekoned a moral man of good principles. His attitude toward religion and the church was friendly and respectful. His mother and many members of his family are staunch Methodists. In his illness and when hopeful of recovery he set about looking after the great thing of life. He gave evidence of a saved experienced, was baptised and united with the Methodist Church. The funeral Services were conducted in his late home on Wednesday evening following his death. The body was taken to Jefferson county on Friday May 5, 1905 and was buried beside that of his father and other members of the family in the cemetery at Kahletown."
