The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-08-21
DEATHS OF A WEEK.
Elkton's Oldest Citizen, John A. Rankin
Passes Away.


John \. Rankin. Eikton's oldest citiien
both in point of age and continuous residence
here, died on Wednesday evening shortly after
eight o'clock at his home on east Main street,
after an illnessofseyeral months. He was in his
nnety-sixth year, having attained his 95th
birthday on February the 9th last His death
resulted from the infrmties incidental to old
age, although he retained his mental faculties
up to the last.
He was born in Wilmington, Delaware,
and removed to Elkton in 1885 For many
years he followed the business OF watch-mak-
ing, and in which he engaged until compelled
to retire from active work by failing
health. He was one OF Elkton's early town
commissioners, and for several terms held
the office of Justice Of the Peace His passing
away takes from Ekton Il citizen held in the
highest esteem as he was noted for his ster-
ling honesty, purity of character and uniform
politeness to all. In early manhood he mar
ried Miss Caroline Baker, IL lady Of refine.
ment, who died ten years ago Their only
son, William Henry Rankin, was drowned in
the Elk river on July %, 1872 in the fifteenth
year of his age
An incident in his life was his experience
in California. when the gold fever was at its
height he being one Of the Forty Miners ;,
He left Elkton in company with James Sewall
and james Ruiulph. on jane l5 1850. When
they had arrived in New York. they unfor-
tunatcy found that their vessel had left about
three hours before their arrival, ana were
compelled to remain in New York for one
month until the next steamer would depart.
They finally landed at Chagr"s, an unimport-
ant landing place on the Atlantic side Of the
Isthmus of Panama. No railway or canal
being in existence at that time, and desiring
to cross the jsthmus. they found but three
means Of ransportation-to go by the
Chagres river by boat-be carried ON chairs
by natives-or walk. They decided to go by
boat, which was p)led along wherever
the shallowness of the river would per-
nit. or by grasping the overhanging
branches. BY this means they reached
Gordona, small native village, Il little more
than half way across the isthmus The river
here dverged to the east, but Panama lay in
"A northwest direction. SO they left the boat
anu the river anu W,ti>ed to Panama. There
they r"fnaiacd two weeks waiting transporta-
ton to san Francisco. When the vessel ar
rived the captain refused to allow them to
get aboard, but those already on deck had
some friends clamoring to board her from
small boats surrounding the steamer The
captain was inundated by threats and by
the display of pistols and finally permitted
them to get aboard. Immediately the vessel
steamed away to San Francisco. The voyage
WAS marked for want of room, want Of sleep,
want of anything to eat tin fact for want Of
every comfort. After arriving at san Fran
cisco. they hired tough little horses called
burros and thus travelled to Sacramento and
from thence to the gold fields in Ell Dorado
county. There they found n narrow country
-staked of their claim, dug manfuly for
gold but found none. Being convinced that
they would not be successful in the hunt for
wealth. after several months work, they sold
out their mining implements at II great sacri-
fee, and on Thursday, July 10, 1851, they
returned to Elkton.
Mrs. Ross Hanson, OF Philadelphia, and
Mrs Caroline Blizzard, of Elkton, are nieces,
and William Howell, OF Philadelphia, a
nephew of the deceased.
In politics Mr.. Rankin was Republican,
and took great interest in party affairs.
The funeral will take place from his late
home this, Saturday, afternoon at four
o'clock. The remains will be inferred in the
Elkton Presbyterian Cemetery.