Warren H. Rankin

As printed in 1902

WARREN H. RANKIN, Jr.

Warren H. Rankin, Jr., was born in Springfield, March 8, 1861, and at the usual age became a public school student, there continuing his studies until he reached the age of eleven. He then started out in life to earn his own living, entering the employ of a market gardener who carried on business north of Springfield. For fifteen years he remained with that man, mastering the business in principle and detail. As his efficiency increased he was promoted gradually until he was given full charge of the business and at times he has had as many as fifty men working under him. At length he severed his connection with his old employer in order to engage in business for himself and in 1886 established the wholesale commission house on West High street. Later he removed to No. 55 Market Square, where he carried on a very extensive trade, employing eight men and utilizing three teams in the delivery of his goods. He also carried on business as a wholesale and retail dealer in baled hay, doing his own baling of local products. A disastrous fire, however, occurred and occasioned him considerable loss, but phoenix-like his enterprise arose from the ashes and in due course of time he had retrieved his lost possessions and had succeeded in securing an extensive and lucrative business. In 1898, however, he sold out and gave his whole attention to the restaurant business which he had purchased in 1891 of William Curtis. The new enterprise also proved a profitable one and his patronage has increased from the time that he furnished sixty meals per day until he now supplies seven hundred meals daily on an average. He employs twenty persons in the conduct of the business, to which he

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.