In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1908) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
Born 1861
From 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908), A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902)
JAMES F. RANKIN.
James F. Rankin was born in South Charleston, November 24, 1861, a son of John Rankin. Having acquired his preliminary education in the public schools he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, and when his education was
< completed he began his business career in the banking house of his father, being made assistant cashier, which position he still holds. With his father and brother he owns the bank and the brothers now practically have control of the institution, the father living in retirement from business.
On the 5th of June, 1894, James F. Rankin was married to Nettie Kemper, a daughter of the Rev. James S. Kemper, of
Dayton, Ohio, and they have one son, John Millington, born February 3, 1896. Mr. Rankin has always been a pronounced Republican and has held various offices, while by Governor Nash he was appointed trustee of the combined normal and industrial department, at Wilberforce, Ohio, in 1900 to fill out an unexpired term, and in 1902 was reappointed. He has taken an active part in the erection of the new Normal building at Wilberforce, and is doing everything in his power to promote the interests of this center of learning. A stanch Republican in politics he has served as a delegate to the county and state conventions and is a valued member of the Masonic fraternity, having been made a Mason in 1890, in Fielding Lodge, No. 192, F. & A. M,, in which he has since been honored with various offices, serving as its master for two terms and also as representative to the grand lodge.
I. WARD FRE Yi
Splendidly conducted business affairs of magnitude and importance have placed L Ward Frey with the capitalists of Springfield. His operations, too, have made him a valued resident of the city, for he has labored along lines proving of general benefit, while at the same time his individual success has been extended along other lines which have brought to him a good return. He has also put forth his efforts in behalf of the city of his nativity. He commands uniform respect here and no history of Clark county would be complete without the record of his life.
His birth occurred on the 22d of November, 1852, in Springfield, his parents being George H. and Jane Q. (Ward) Frey. From pioneer times the Ward family has been connected with Clark county, for Isaac Ward, the maternal grandfather, came with his family to Clark county in 1833, removing to the west from Cumberland county, Pennsylvania.. Upon a farm near Springfield he took up his above and there spent his remaining days. He wedded Mary Rodgers, a daughter of James Rodgers, also a native of Pennsylvania, and among their children was a daughter, Jane O., who became the wife of George H. Frey and the mother of our subject. A complete history of the parents appear elsewhere in this work.
I. Ward Frey of this review was one of a family of twelve children, of whom only five are yet living. At the usual age he entered the public schools of Springfield, pursued a high school course here and later became a student in the Highland Military Academy at Worcester, Massachusetts, where he continued his studies for three years. On putting aside his text-books he returned to his native city and became connected with business interests controlled by his father, George H. Frey. In 1877-8 he was connected with The Springfield, Jackson & Pomeroy Railroad Company, and later engaged in the quarrying business. He also devoted his attention to the manufacture of lime and controlled an extensive local trade, shipping the product to various states and continuing actively in that line of business industry until 1882, when failing health compelled his retirement. After a rest of several years, he became a member of the Champion Machine Company in 1886, and so continued until 1888, since which time he has given considerable attention to his farming interests. He has to-day valuable city property and farming lands, having judiciously placed much of his capital in the safest of all investments: real estate.
In 1874 Mr. Frey was married to Miss Anna M. Wilson, a daughter of William W. Wilson, the vice president of The Champion Machine Company, also the Champion Bar and Knife and Champion Malleable Iron Companies. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Frey has been blessed with one daughter, Helen Wilson. The Frey household is one of the most hospitable in the city, its social functions being enjoyed by the best residents of Springfield. In his political views a strong Republican, Mr. Frey has never wavered in his allegiance to the party to which he gives earnest and able support without desire of official reward. His career has ever been such as to warrant the trust and confidence of the business world, for he has ever conducted all transactions on the strictest principles of honor and integrity. His devotion to the public good is unquestioned and arises from a sincere interest in his fellow men.
As printed in A Biographical Record of Clark County Ohio (1902). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
JAMES F. RANKIN, a highly respected citizen and influential business man of South Charleston, who has been prominently identified with the banking interests of this locality for a number of years, was born here November 24, 1861, and is a son of John and Charity A. (Fullerton) Rankin, and a grandson of James Rankin.
James Rankin, the grandfather, was born in 1780 in Berlin, Worcester County, Maryland, and came to Madison County, Ohio, in 1815, and here was accidentally killed by a train in 1857. He married Margaret Truitt and they reared a family of eight children, of whom John, father of James F., was the second eldest. John Rankin was born December 18, 1811, in Berlin, Worcester County, Maryland, and in 1815 accompanied his parents to Clark County, Ohio, and located seven miles east of South Charleston, in Madison County, residing there until 1845, when he came to South Charleston. He was united in marriage with Charity Fullerton, a daughter of James Fullerton, and they reared a family of three children: Stacy B., James F., and Ella M., who died in 1887.
James F. Rankin has spent his entire life in South Charleston, receiving his educational training in the public schools of the town and in Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. At the age of twenty he entered the banking business, in which he has continued ever since, being at this time vice president of the London Exchange Bank Company, of London, Ohio, and cashier of the Bank of South Charleston, St. Charleston, Ohio.
Mr. Rankin was appointed trustee of the combined Normal and Industrial Institute at Wilberforce by Governor Nash, and served as such for a period of five years, when he resigned and was appointed, by Governor Herrick, a member of the Ohio Fish and Game Commission. He was re-appointed to that office by Governor Harris and is still serving in that capacity. Politically, Mr. Rankin is a Republican. Fraternally, he is affiliated with the Masonic order, in which he was master for two terms, and has filled all the offices of that order.
Mr. Rankin was married in 1894 to Nettie Kemper, a daughter of James S. and Frances (Gasper) Kemper, and to them have been born two children — John M., and Kempei.
Stacy B. Rankin, president of the Bank of South Charleston, was born in South Charleston and has always been a resident of this city, obtaining his education in the public schools. Mr. Rankin has always been interested in the banking affairs of this locality, and is recognized as one of the leading and substantial business men of the town. He has been secretary of the Ohio Bankers' Association since its organization in 1891. At the time of the St. Louis World's Fair he was appointed executive commissioner of Ohio by Governor Nash, having charge of all the Ohio interests at the fair. Mr. Rankin was appointed receiver when the Washington Traction Company failed.
Politically, he supports the Republican party and represented Clark County in the Seventj-third and Seventy-fourth General Assemblies. Fraternally, he is a Mason and attends the Presbyterian Church of South Charleston. Mr. Rankin was joined in marriage with Miss Fannie Kemper, of Dayton, and they have two children — Marquis Kemper and S. Barcroft.
As printed in 20th century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: I. Ward Frey William W. Wilson (b. 1821)
Their biographies name James Rankin: Warren H. Rankin (b. 1821) J. S. R. Hazzard
The printed record stops around 1908. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.