History of Michigan, / by Charles Moore. [Vol. 3]

1498

HISTORY OF MICHIGAN

was born in Holland and who was a resident of Grand Rapids at the
time of her marriage. She is survived by six children-Anna, who is the
wife of Adrian Laban, of Grand Rapids; Julius, who is associated with
his father in business; Sibrant, who is employed in the Grand Rapids establishment of the Pittsburg Plate Glass Company; and Jenette and
Susan, who are attending the public schools. On the 26th of March, I9'3,
was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Westra to Miss Catherine Maude
Bliss, daughter of Albert F. Bliss, a representative citizen of Rockford,
Michigan, where he is engaged in the produce business.
FRANCIS H. RANKIN. Bearing the name of his honored father, who
as an editor and publisher, and man of offairs, was a distinguished citizen
of Flint and this state for more than fifty years, Francis H. Rankin, Jr.,
started life with a splendid heritage in his father's example and influence,
and was associated for many years with the elder Rankin in the newspaper
business.
Francis H. Rankin was born at Flint, December 28, I854. His father,
of the same name, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, came to America
in 1848, and was one of the pioneer settlers at Pontiac, Michigan. In
that city he served an apprenticeship at the printer's trade. In February,
I850, he came to Flint, and established the Genesee Whig, which six
years later became a Republican journal, upon the organization of the
Republican party. It was one of the first papers to survive the vicissitudes of newspaper existence, and the elder Rankin continued to publish
and edit the journal until his death in I904. It was a weekly paper, with
the exception of two years in the sixties, when a daily edition was issued.
After the organization of the Republican party the name was changed to
the Wolverine Citizen, a name which the son continued until January,
I912, when he disposed of the paper. Through the medium of this paper,
the elder Rankin exerted an inestimable influence, not only on the political thought and opinion of his readers, but also in the direction of civic
welfare and public and private morality. The senior Rankin was devoted
to the interests of his community and his state. He served two terms in
the lower house of the state legislature, and one term as a senator. President Hayes appointed him postmaster at Flint in 1877, and he continued
through the Arthur administration and until I885. Other offices which
he held with credit were those of city clerk and city recorder for a number of years. He was one of the organizers of the public school board,
and also of the Genesee County Agricultural Society. The senior Rankin
was probably Governor Crapo's closest adviser during the administration
of that executive in Michigan, and from Governor Crapo he received
appointment on the Board of Control of State Prison and Penal Institutions. In the case of Mr. Rankin it is a distinction. that he lived and
died a poor man. Never aspiring to. wealth, his ideals of success were
the utmost service to the public interests. In social affairs he was almost
equally well known. For one term he held the position of Grand Master,
in the Grand Lodge of Michigan Odd Fellows, was a Knights Templar and
a charter member of Genesee Lodge No. 174, F. & A. M. For many years
he held the position of vestryman in the Episcopal church at Flint. His
death occurred in August, I904, when eighty-four years of age. Francis
H. Rankin, Sr., married Arabella Hearn, who was born in County Longford, Ireland, and was married in that country. There were six children,
five of whom are still living, namely: Jennie, widow of Leroy C. Whitney,
of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Richard H. Rankin, who for many years was
connected with the railroad service of the Pere Marquette Road and is
now living retired in Saginaw; Anna C., is the wife of George D. Flan