The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-10-19
David Rankin Who Cultivated $4,000
Acres at Tarkio, Mo-, Died
Suddenly of
Paralysis.
LEFT FOUR MILLIONS
Was Over 80 Years of Age But Got
up Every Morning at 4:3o O'clock
and Went to
Work.

TARKIO, Mo, Oct. 19.-David Rank
in, the millionaire farmer, old settler
and benefactor, died suddenly at his
home in Tarkio of paralysis.
For many years past, and almost
the day of his death, Mr.. Rankin
personally supervised his farm of
$4,000 acres, in Atchison county. 1t
is the largest cultivated farm in the
world. He arose with his farm hands
at 4:30 o'clock every morning.
Mr. Rankin's death came as sur
prise to his many acquaintances, al
though he was well on in years, being
over S5 years of age. He was very
active up to the day of his fatal
illness.
Mr.. Rankin had been in excellent
health up to last week, when he was
little indisposed by cold. He re-
covered from this, however, and on
Saturday visited his office upon a
business errand. Returning to his
1 home about $50 a. M, he suffered
] paralysis to his right side and grave
doubt was expressed by his physi-
I clans regarding his recovery. ~
day he was conscious all day. Non
! day he showed signs of being better,
and until about noon his condition
/ was better. In the afternoon he re-
lapsed into unconsciousness, and re-
4 gained consciousness only at inter-
vals.
Mr. Rankin is survived by four chill
dren, w. F. and John A. Rankin. Mrs.
j. r. Hanna and Miss Esther Rankin,
ALI reside in Tarkio except Mrs. J. F.
Hanna, who lives at Riverside, Cal,
: and all were in the city when he died
except Mrs. Hanna.
Mrs David Rankin died September
: %, last.
Mr.. Rankin led an exceedingly act
: i've life. He was born in Indiana
May 2S, 1925. He emigrated to Hi
nois when years old and came tc
Missouri in the late '7o's, and although
over 80 years Old he personally super
! intended the farming of his $4,000
I acres OF land. and down until the
4 week before his death has been 6
hard worker. Mr.. Rankin has beer
interested in political life, being al
7 ardent republican. He was a member
OF the Illinois legislature six years
beginning 1874. He was member o
Governor Beveridges prison investiga
/ ton committee in 1878 He gave ;
: report that implicated the prison OF
ficials in graft and robbery of stat
funds.
Mr. Rankin was delegate to th'
e. national republican convention in Chi
u cago in 1908.
- Mr. Rankin attended every nationa
e fair since he was old enough to tray
u ell attending Philadelphia, Chicago
Omaha st. Louis and others. Nj
Rankin has been a successful farme1
II accommodating a fortune of about S4
II 100000. which includes $4,000 acres {
IL excellent farming land, the Natiops
% bank, the Midland Manufacturn
s. company, Water and Light plant, an
n. the Auditorium building.
~ Several years ago his vast holding
were Incorporated by him and name
the Rankin Farms. The stock Of th
corporation will be divided among h
~ two sons and two daughters.
an Mr.. Rankin has always been a
M ardent supporter of education, an
en- was the founder of and chief benefa
Dr. tor of Tarkio College, to which inst
or tuticn he has given over $25000o.
- Mr. Rankin was regular atten
ant at the United Presbyterian chprc
of which he was a member. He ht
a wide influence throughout the stat
ne He is acknowledged the peer of farl
ay ers, and his farms have been the ce
Wa ter of interest of agricultural exper
,er from Europe Australia, Africa. Sou
ne America, Canada and the Unit
States