Will County ILGenWeb Biographies..... 
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File contributed for use by:
Dori Leekly & Margie Glenn

Author: History of Will County, Illinois; Chicago: Wm LeBaron Jr & Co, 186 Dearborn Street, 1878.

Duncan RANKIN, merchant, Braidwood; this gentleman is one of the most solid and reliable 
merchants of Braidwood; was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, May 19, 1828, and is the son of 
Angus and Margaret (CLARK) RANKIN, of Scotland; father at one time was connected with the 
Post Office Department, but in the latter part of his life was mining. When Mr. RANKIN 
was but a lad he commenced mining; this he followed, and in 1850, he emigrated to America 
and landed in Boston, Mass.; then to the coal-fields of Pennsylvania; here he remained 
for about twenty months; not satisfied with mining for the black diamond, he caught the 
news that gold could be found in the Far West, and in 1852, he started for the gold-fields 
of California; here he arrived, and commenced mining for gold; he remained about one year; 
success very good; returned to the States and settled in Illinois, DeKalb Co.; here he 
purchased a farm with the money he had made in California, and commenced farming in 
Illinois; this, his first experience in farming; but, with hard labor, he was successful; 
remained in DeKalb Co. ten years; then to Grundy Co.; here he entered the coal business 
by operating a coal shaft known as Rankin Coal Shaft; in this business two years; he then 
went to Morris, Grundy Co., and commenced the mercantile business; here he remained about 
six years, and in 1869, he came to Braidwood, opened a general store; his success was very 
good, doing about the largest business of any merchant in the city; he then opened on the 
opposite side of Main St., a clothing, dry goods, boot and shoe store; on account of 
business he consolidated both stores, then opened a branch store in Morris. Mr. RANKIN is 
President of the Braidwood Creamery Association, manufacturers of cheese and butter, which 
rank as No. 1 in Chicago and St. Louis markets; is Inspector of Mines of Will Co. Also a 
prominent Odd Follow and Mason. Member of the Presbyterian Church, and Republican in 
politics. Married Nov. 13, 1848, to Miss Elizabeth BROWN, of Scotland, by whom they have 
had thirteen children, eight living.