The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-01-28
JOSEPH RANKIN.

Hon. Joseph Rankin died ct Washing
ton on Sunday at o'clock in the after
noon. In the morning it was quite
evident that the end was near, and the
whole family remained near him. he
was in great pain during the forenoon
and tossed about uneasily on the bed.
He wanted to talk, but his tongue waa
partially paralyzed and he was unable to
do SO. At times his mind wandered and
he fanoied he was in his seat in the
House and attempted to make speech
on Fitz John Porter. About one O'Clock
there were symptoms of commissions, but
he soon became conscious and intimated
that he would like to have the children
come near him. They came sobbing and
babe him good-by. His last conscious
act was bidding farewell to Mrs. Rankin.
During his entire sickness he dreaded
this final parting with his wife more than
anything else. He often spoke of it to
friends as the only thing which gave
death a pang. He died without pain
though for weeks he had suffered much.
He was anxious to return to Manitowoc
and die among his friends, but was never
in a condition to undertake the journey.
At the time of his death there were pres
ent his family, Mrs. Miller of Chicago,
John Rankin of Binghampton, DE-.
Kempster of Oshkosh, DIR. Harrison OF
Washington and Congressman Van
Setback of Milwaukee. General Bragg
Immediately telegraphed the sad news to
a friend here.
Mr.. Rankin was born in 1888 at Pas
sale, N. J. The family afterward re-
moved to New York. His father was a
railroad contractor and had heavy con-
tracts at the time of his death which
took place while Rankin was quite young.
His mother was woman of great energy
and finished the work begun by her hus-
band. Young Rankin found great de-
light in mingling with the workmen, and
though very young he was quite favor
tie and close observer. 1t was here he
formed the power of Judging character
which formed so important an element
of his life and made him SO successful in
politics, and it was at this early period
he learned of national characteristics and
the motives which actuated people in the
lower walks of life. Often he spent
nights in the boarding shanty" which
was then fixture of public works, listen
ing to the stories of the men and getting
a knowledge of people which was OF val =
ne in later life. At this time he was only
six years of age, but during his sickness
when friends called upon him, he loved
better to talk of these early days than OF
the more stirring events in which he took
a prominent part. He could recall all
the events with that wonderful distinct
ness which was marked feature in his
powerful memory. He was full of anec-
dotes of these early days and as his sick
ness grew upon him, the longing to re-
visit these places where his early youth
was spent became stronger. His imagin-
alton was busy in picturing early scenes
and it seemed to the listener that as Joe
was drawing nearer home be sought it
through the one his childhood loved.
His preference to be about with the
men rather than to pore over books, de-
cided his mother to send him to board
ing school and he was seut to one near
Boston. He afterwards attended an
academy and came west in 1854 settling
at Mishicott in this county. He was the
life of tine place and turned the luarrels
of people into amusement thus proving a
very efficient peacemaker. Even law
suits we're turned into ridicule by some
of his droll doings and litigants left the
justice court friends, laughing at the alb
surdities of that which short time be-
fore they thought of with feelings of an
ger and determination to fight to the
bitter end. When Rankin was not tho
justice he acted as the constable, but
"ran the court" and through his advice
a fine of "keg of beer" was often i'm
posed and the parties would forget their
difficulties and resolve to live in neigh
borly fashion. II the history of Mishi-
colt were written there would be much
of Rankin's humor in it, and not all of it
devoid of good purposes. His dislike OF
formality might have its origin in bis
manner of doing things in this then From
tier settlement. He never consulted
rules or worshiped precedent. The
moss direct way was his favorite one no
matter how much he tresspassed on
musty traditions.
He enlisted in 1862, and was chosen
captain of Co. d. 9th Wis. His temper
ament peculiarly fitted him for a military
life as he was always remarkably cool in
time OF danger, very quick to reach a
conclusion and prompt to act. He hated
praise and had most supreme contempt
for any thing in the line of"bonorable men
ton. This prevented him from seek
ing promotion and he declined proffered
ssistance in that direction. He took
much more pleasure in relating some OF
his blnnders because of his want of &C
quaintance with military tactics in the
early part of his service, than in recount
ing any of his creditable exploits when
he manifested his well-known contempt
for danger. His soldiers loved him fo1
they discovered he had one of the kind
est hearts which ever beat within hu-
man breast. He never advertised it ex-
cept as his acts spoke it and it is for this
reason they loved him. He never made
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