Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-01-29
Death of Congressman Rankin.

Hon. Joseph Rankin, member OF
congress of the Fifth WisCon sin dis
trict, died at his lodgings on NJ. street.
adjoining the postmaster generals, al
five minutes before 2 o'clock on Sun
day afternoon. A couple of weeks
ago he was very low, but rallied, and
for few days was around and apssr-
emily very comfortable. For forty
eight hours he had been in dying
condition, being at times delirlous.
Fears were entertained that he would
be attacked with convulsions, but,
| happily. these were avoided.
One arm was paralyzed, but he ges
ticulated wildly with his other arm,
imagined number of his con eression-
al colleagues were present, and addres
sed them, called for DR.. Gray of Mil
waukee. and tried to make speech
on the FitL Jhon Porter case. The
physicians, fearing convulsions about
noon administered opiates hypodermi.
cally, and he quieted down and be-
came perfectly rational. His two
little children Jennie and joe, were
in an adjoining room, and the dying
man, hearing them crying, had them
brought into his room, and was Just
able to summon up strength enough
to throw his arms around them
BID THEM GooD-BY.
He was passionately devoted to his
children, and his fare well to
them was heartrending. At half past
1 he became unconscious, his breath
ing increased in difficulty, and five
minutes to 3 he died. There were
with him in his last hours his wife,
his two children, and his brother,
John Rankin, Binghamton. N. Y,
and Rankin's sister, Mrs. Miller OF
Chicago.
Mr. Rankin had been for some time
before congress met in an advanced
stage of Bright's disease, but insisted
on coming here 10 be sworn in as
member of the new congress, though
ne had to bring physician with him
it was feared he would die on the
way: For several days after he ar
HE FRIGHTENED UP,
and seemed pretty comfortable. He
was often in the lobby of the Ebbitt
house, talking with his friends, and
attended some Of the sessions of con-
gress
BIOGRAPHICAL.
"Joe" Rankin, as he was generally
called. was born in Passaick, n. j.,
Sept. 25, 1888, and was consequently
SO years of age. He came to Wiscon-
sin la 1854, settling first at Mishicott
He lived long at Manitowoc, where
his busy, bustling life has made that
little place famous He filled various
local offices a. various times, and at
the outbreak of the rebellion entered
the militaIy service and served three
bat fact nevertheless, that he was
one time inspector general of tue de-
partment of the Mississippi. He aid
good service, and many tales Of his
army life are told by his comrades.
Mr.. Rankin was natural politician,
an ardent democrat, and born wire
puller. He served IN the Wisconsin
assembly In the years 1860, 1871, 1872.
1873, 1874, and was elected chairman
of the democratic state central com
mittee in 1877. He served in the state
senate in 1877. 1878, 1879, and 1880,
and again in 1881 and 1882 He was
elected member of the Forty eight
congress by a majority of over 5000
over Levi Rowland, his republican
opponent. In MaEltowoc county, his
home, he was very popular with all
classes, without regard to politics.
every body having kindly word for
genial Joe"
When in the legislature he was re
garded as a remarkably fine parlia-
mentarian, and was frequently ap-
pealed to by the chair and other mem
bers. During his last two terms as
senator he introduced only one bill,
aud that was to change the name of
Polish insurance company. He was
constantly on the alert. however, and
his constituents were always well
cared for. He was violently opposed
to new legislation On any and all sub
jects, and he nugged the busy bodies
of the legislature almost to distrac-
ton. In congress he made no partic-
ular dash, but did a great deal of
good, effective work. Mr.. Rarkin
bore the appearance of being lazy
man, but the appearance belied him.
He took life easy, and was always
ready to joke on any and all subjects,
but when he worked he worked with
a will and understanding that was
capable Of accomplishing much good.
He quickly made the reputation of
being one of the braniest western men
in Washington. For term of years
Mr.. Rankin held a confidential po-
sition with the st. Paul railroad. He
was intrustsd with missions of a very
delicate nature, such as the purchase
of large and desira BILE tracts of land,
the purchase of Indian property, and
general diplomatic service, in all of
which his peculiar qualities made him
eminently successful.
In personal appearance Mr.. Rankin
was a taIi, good-leoking fellow. Be-
fore he was stricken down with dis
ease he was rather inclined to be port
ly, but lately was very much reduced
in flesh and Is a mere shadow of his
former self. He had light sandy hair,
and whiskers of the same color, neat
ly trimmed, and was very tidy and
genteel in appearance.
A Mystery.