St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1888-01-19

thus contributing in a direct though
quiet way to the advancement of edu
cation and increasing opportunities of
fered through good library. Thougl
| not politician in any sense, or court
ing political favor, he was a stauncl
republican and in many exciting cam
paigns has welded a vigorous pen in
behalf of his party.
But Mr.. Rankin was pre- eminently ,
scholar. Said he to friend but few
days before his death, "The creates
enjoyment of my life is to be surround
ed by my family and my books; bring
ing into the family circle any author
we will and together enjoyin ing his com
panionship and his thoughts" There
are few men, it would hardly be an ex
aggeration to say that there was Nc
man in this part of the state, whose
reading covered so wide a range ol
topics. Authors were like old friend.
to him and he talked of them and theil
work as of friends. An acute critic
local and metropolitan papers Otter
contained exhaustive and scholarly
criticisms of current literature from
his pen. This knowledge of literary
affairs and his comprehension of books
and the writer's of books was specially
remarkable inasmuch as large por.
tion of this knowledge was necessarily
gained by hearing BOOKS read by 9TH
ers, as the condition of his eyes did
not at all times admit of continuous
reading. Fortunately, however, in his
pleasant home he found congenial spir-
its, whose greatest pleasure was thus
to contribute to his pleasure, and the
happiest hours of his life were spent
with the wife and children who were
SO dear to him. A kind and loving
husband and father he was at his best
lily and personal friends where his rare
intellectual gifts were given full play.
Though not member of any church
there were few more regular in attend
ance upon divine worship, few who
gave closer attention or were more
thoughtful or intelligent listeners.
Between himself and his brother, Rev.
DR.. j. E. Rankin, the we'll known Con-
gregational divine, there existed the
closest bonds of union and sympathy.
Three or four years ago they travelled
together through Europe and were as
one in their tastes and habit of thought.
This intimacy, beginning with boy
hood, continuing through college life
when they were room mates together
at Middlebury-where the older broth
er was tutor while the subject of this
sketch was pursuing his studies-was
never broken until death severed the
ties that bound them together.
Mr.. Rankin married, Oct. 1869, Isa
bel E., second daughter of tie late
Judge L. P. Poland, who, with all the
children born to them survive him.
The relations that always existed be-
tween Judge Poland and Mr.. Rankin
were of the most intimate character
and could hardly have been more SO
had he been the Judges own son
The confidence reposed in him by
Judge Poland was shown from the fact
that by the Judges will Mr.. Rankin
became one of the executors of his
large estate.
Funeral services were held from Mr.
Rankin's late residence on Prospect
street at two o'clock on Tuesday. Rev
G. NJ. LamsOn, pastor of the North
church, conducted the service, reading
selections of Scripture, giving brief
but eloquent eulogy, and offering a
fervent prayer. A quartet from the
North church choir sang appropriate
hymns, and six members of the bal
acted as pail bearers-H. G. Ide. III. G
Bates, w. P. Smith, A. F. Nichols ant
Harry Blodgett of this place and Geo
w. Cahoon of Lyndon. Among the
near relatives present was the only
brother of the deceased, Rev. DIR. j. E
Rankin and wife of Orange, N. j., ant
Mr.. Albee, brOther-in-law, of Cam
bridge, Mass. Both the First Nation
al and Passumpsic savings banks were
closed, and several stores on Mair
street, during the hour of funeral SER
vices.
The following beautiful tribute ha
haen handed ma The initials will n,