Santa
Clara County
Biographies
WILLIAM
B. RANKIN
WILLIAM B. RANKIN. Among the business men of Los Gatos, Santa
Clara county, who best represent the city’s industrial
and financial progress William B. Rankin occupies a position of
prominence. Enterprising, far-sighted and
quick of apprehension, he is ever alive to the possible favorable opportunities
for advancing his plans, and in the management of the various enterprises with
which he has been connected has achieved notable success, being now one of the
leading capitalists of the place. A
native of Indiana, he was born at Montezuma September 30, 1848, a son of
B. P. Rankin.
B. P. Rankin was born in
Greencastle, Ind., and after acquiring his elementary education in the common
schools of his native state attended and graduated from Asbury University. Animated by a spirit of progress he began a
westward march in 1854, locating first in Nebraska, where he acted as the first
territorial secretary; in 1858 he came as far west as Colorado and two years
later located at Placerville, Cal., where he engaged in the practice of
law. In 1863 he removed to Austin, Nev.,
continuing in the practice of his profession, and three years later located in
San Jose, Santa Clara county. Upon retiring from the active duties which
had so long engrossed his attention he became a resident of Los Gatos, where he
died in 1890, at the age of sixty-seven years.
In his political convictions he had been a Union Democrat until late in
life, when he espoused the principles of the Republican party. His father, James Rankin, was a Virginian,
who removed to Kentucky and later to Indiana, engaging throughout a long and
active life in the manufacture of hats.
But twelve years old when he came to
California, William B. Rankin has spent his entire life since then in this
state, acquiring his education in her schools, first attending in Placerville,
and, upon attaining manhood, was a student in Pacific University. In 1877 he engaged in the sheep business in
Nevada and Tulare counties, Cal., and three years later was interested in the
cultivation of the grape, the product of his vineyard bringing him a financial
success. Coming to Los Gatos in 1886, he
at once invested in a large vineyard and orchard, where for sixteen years his
business interests remained. This
property was sold in 1902, and he now owns a winery in Glenwood. He is also largely interested in real estate
in Los Gatos. After the fire of 1901 he
rebuilt the fine Rankin block, and in 1902 erected the Montezuma block, and he
also owns many other large buildings.
Much of the material growth of Los Gatos has been through the efforts of
Mr. Rankin, and he deservedly occupies a position of prominence among her
public-spirited and progressive citizens.
The marriage of Mr. Rankin occurred
in San Jose, Cal, and united him with Clara B. Millett, of Massachusetts,
of which union has been born one daughter, Mabel, who is still at home with her
parents. Politically Mr. Rankin is
a Republican, and though not seeking personal political honors, has nevertheless
given his best efforts toward the support of good government. Fraternally he is identified with the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows and its auxiliary; Independent Order of
Foresters; and Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of San Jose. Personally he is a man of fine stature ―a
splendid specimen of physical manhood ― to which he has added the grace
of business ability, energy and earnestness of purpose, as illustrated by
intellect, and has made his presence felt in the community which has numbered
him among its citizens for the past years.
Transcribed by Donna Toole.
Source: History
of the State of California & Biographical Record of Coast Counties,
California by Prof. J. M. Guinn, A. M., Pages 437-438. The Chapman
Publishing Co., Chicago, 1904.
© 2015 Donna Toole.