W. A. Rankin was born at Ripley, Ohio, September 15, 1832. His parents on both sides were of Scotch origin. He was educated at Ripley Ohio. In 1857, he came to Kansas and took a farm claim near Black Jack, Douglas County. He was elected a member of the House or Representatives form Douglas County in 1859 and served in the regular and special sessions of 1860. He was active in the passage of the emancipation resolution, declaring that slavery should not exist in Kansas.

During the Civil War, he served as assistant Quartermaster Division Quartermaster, Purchasing Quartermaster and Chief Quartermaster with ranks as Captain, Major and Lieutenant Colonel.

In Quantrill’s Raid he and his cousin Mr. John K. Rankin were attacked in the street in front of Mr. Rankin’s home by six of Quantrill’s men. They returned their fire with the result that two of the rebels were wounded and all rode away while neither of the Rankin men were hurt.

Mr. Rankin married Phebe Davis Ward on February 2, 1852 in Columbus, Ohio. They were both Congregationalists. Mr. Rankin died in January 1896. Mrs. Rankin died August, 1909. They are buried in Oak Hill.

This pictures was given to the library by the daughter Mrs. John T. Moore (Lou Rankin Moore) in 1932.